Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and his counterpart from Bangladesh, Mohammed Shahabuddin were among the nearly two million pilgrims that performed the just concluded hajj.
Muslim News gathered that Shahabuddin arrived Jeddah on June 23 alongside his wife Dr. Rebecca Sultana and other entourage members, while Alvi arrived on June 25, already putting on ihram, in preparation for Umrah, before the commencement of hajj.
Good meetings with Bangladesh President Mr Shahabuddin in Mecca, Mina & Madina. Below at Roza-e-Rasool. In white is my childhood friend Mr Salman Rehman, now Member Parliament, Minister & Advisor in BD. We met after 60 yrs. Blessings of Allah will do wonders for our relationship. pic.twitter.com/9QyDCLHixj
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) July 3, 2023
After completing their hajj rites, the two leaders attended a reception for VIP hajj participants that was hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
President Alvi later visited the Islamic Museum in Madina, adjacent the Masjid-e-Nabawi along with his family.
Very symbolic of the great relationship between the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. No better expression of the kinship than the beaming and affectionate smile on the faces of two brothers.
ماشاللہ pic.twitter.com/e884OPbuNa— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) July 1, 2023
The museum’s chairman, Sheikh Dr. Nasir Al-Zahrani, welcomed the president. Pakistan’s Consul General Khalid Majeed also accompanied him.
President Alvi gained useful information about Prophet Muhammad’s life (PBUH) at the museum. He was also briefed about Islamic culture and civilization, and took keen interest in the Islamic and cultural models at the museum.
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud,Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia met with His Excellency Mohammed Shahabuddin,Hon’ble president of Bangladesh.
Long Live Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia friendship. pic.twitter.com/XaOeratVIN— Agriculturist MZR Badol (@ziaur_badol) June 29, 2023
Bangladesh’s president left Madinah for his home country on Sunday, June 2 after visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city, while Alvi returned on Tuesday, June 4.
Shahabuddin, a former judge and freedom fighter was elected unopposed as the country’s 22nd President in February 2023. Dr. Arif Alvi was sworn in as the 13th President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 9th September 2018.
Over 1.8 million people performed hajj this year.
#Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin left #Madinah on Sunday after visiting the Prophet’s Mosque in the holy city and performing #Hajj before that https://t.co/M8ccwqboLX pic.twitter.com/7ODJRrfUNb
— Arab News (@arabnews) July 2, 2023
