Pakistan’s Ambassador Salman Athar Visits Akkar and Tripoli at the Invitation of Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah: Pakistan Stands by Lebanon and Will Continue to Support It
Pakistan’s Ambassador Salman Athar Visits Akkar and Tripoli at the Invitation of Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah:
Pakistan Stands by Lebanon and Will Continue to Support It
MP Mohamad Suleiman: The Pakistani–Saudi defense cooperation strengthens Arab and Islamic capabilities in the face of all those who covet them.
Mufti Dr. Zaid Mohamad Bakkar Zakaria: Pakistan is a great nation that enjoys high esteem in both the Arab and Islamic worlds.
Ali El Abdallah: Pakistan represents our strategic depth, which we must preserve.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Salman Athar, visited Akkar and Tripoli at the invitation of the Chairman of Amaco Group, Ali Mahmoud El Abdallah, who accompanied him on a series of visits that included political, religious, and community figures from Akkar. The ambassador began his visit with a morning meeting at the residence of MP Mohamad Suleiman in Tripoli, before embarking on a broad tour. Ambassador Athar and Mr. EL Abdallah also visited the Mufti of Akkar, Sheikh Dr. Zaid Mohamad Bakkar Zakaria; the Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies for the Greek Orthodox, where they were received by Archimandrite Yohana Al Mashreqi, representing Metropolitan Basilios Mansour; and the Mayor of Halba, Abdelhamid Al Halabi.
During his visits to community figures and religious authorities, Ambassador Athar highlighted the Pakistani-Lebanese relations, emphasizing that Pakistan has stood by Lebanon during its most difficult times and will continue to do so. He added: “Pakistan has always stood by the Lebanese people during hard times. During the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon, Pakistan stood with Lebanon, sent humanitarian aid, and supported it in international forums." Regarding Pakistan's relations with the Arab world, Athar said: "We have signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which demonstrates the great importance we place on our relations with Arab countries."
During the Visit to MP Suleiman
During his reception for Ambassador Athar at his residence in Tripoli, attended by dignitaries from Wadi Khaled and members of his family, MP Mohamad Suleiman said: “We welcome His Excellency the Ambassador of Pakistan to Lebanon, Salman Athar, to the North, among his friends and family, and we thank him for his kind visit. Pakistan is a brotherly and friendly nation to Lebanon and to the Arab countries, and we highly value its continuous support for our nation. It is a country that has always taken honorable stances toward our Islamic cause, the cause of Palestine and it always stands on the side of truth. We appreciate the cooperation between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly their joint defense cooperation and the recent agreement between the two countries. This strengthens Arab and Islamic capabilities in the face of all those who covet the Arab nations. We view any cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as cooperation with all Arab states, since the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the safety valve for the Arab region and its causes. Here in Lebanon, we see it as a steadfast supporter of our country.”
For his part, Athar said: "Today, I had the honor of visiting His Excellency MP Mohamad Suleiman. We discussed ways to enhance relations between the two brotherly countries, Lebanon and Pakistan, and we also addressed the importance of boosting trade exchanges and strengthening ties between our two peoples. Pakistan has always stood by the Lebanese people during difficult times and during the Israeli aggressions against Lebanon. As His Excellency mentioned, Pakistan supports the Palestinian cause, and we view supporting the Palestinian people as our duty. God willing, communication with His Excellency MP Mohammad Suleiman will continue to find appropriate ways to enhance trade, investment, and mutual visits between the two countries, in addition to cooperation between the two parliaments to achieve closer ties and ensure that relations between the two countries remain strong."
During the Visit to Mufti Dr. Zaid Bakkar Zakaria
At the Dar Al Ifta’ in Akkar, Ambassador Salman Athar was received by the Mufti of Akkar, Sheikh Dr. Zaid Mohamad Bakkar Zakaria, in the presence of a number of prominent figures, including MP Mohamad Sleiman, the President of the Islamic Center for Studies and Media Judge Sheikh Khaldoun Araymit, the Mayor of Halba Abdelhamid Al Halabi, the President of the Zakat Fund Osama Al Zoubi, the General Coordinator of the Future Movement in Akkar Mr. AbdelIlah Zakaria, the Secretary of the Governorate Loqman Al Kurdi, and members of the Zakat Fund, along with a group of sheikhs and scholars. During the visit, Mufti Zakaria stated: “The Dar Al Ifta’ in Akkar is a place that brings together both Muslims and Christians and looks after the affairs of the people of Akkar. On behalf of myself, MP Mohamad Suleiman, the members of the Awqaf Council, the Zakat Fund, and the Municipality of Halba, we warmly welcome you. We also extend our thanks to Mr. Ali El Abdallah for organizing your visit to the region. The people of Akkar are kind, humble, and hospitable, and Lebanon in general and Akkar in particular hold great affection for the Pakistani people and for Pakistan. In truth, Pakistan is a great nation that enjoys deep respect in both the Arab and Islamic worlds. We follow with great interest the ongoing coordination between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was recently manifested in the agreement between the two countries an agreement that promotes justice and preserves security.”
Mufti Zakaria added: “The massacres and brutality practiced by Zionism and Israel in Gaza and Palestine, and the assaults on the Gulf states and Doha, serve as a reminder that the enemy of the Arab and Islamic world is Israel. In truth, you are also suffering, though to a limited extent, from certain sectarian issues similar to what we experienced during the civil war, but God willing, truth will prevail and faith will triumph. We have known the Pakistani people for a long time in the Gulf countries a great, hardworking, honest, brave, and trustworthy people and these are truly your qualities. We wish you a pleasant stay in Lebanon and hope that your visit to Akkar will be successful.”
For his part, Ambassador Athar said: "Pakistan is an Islamic country and it places special importance on its relations with Arab countries. Recently, we signed a Strategic Mutual Defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, which shows the great importance we attach to our relations with Arab countries."
During the Visit to Halba Municipality
At Halba Municipality, Ambassador Athar was received by the Mayor of Halba, Abdelhamid Al Halabi, members of the municipal council, and a large number of city dignitaries. The mayor presented the ambassador with a book on the history of Akkar, another book about the city of Halba titled “The Ancient Market of Halba”, and a commemorative shield in honor of his visit to the city. Mayor Al Halabi said: “I welcome you on behalf of Halba Municipality and its council members. This is a valued visit, and Pakistan is a friendly country that always supports Lebanon as it supports the Lebanese people. Halba is considered a peripheral or rural area, and one of the deprived regions of Lebanon. We need to build relationships to strengthen our ties with everyone. Halba is a large city where all the roads of the surrounding villages intersect, and it is also the center of Akkar Governorate. We meet here today in the library, which serves all the people of Akkar who value culture just as the people of Pakistan do. That is why I wanted us to meet today in this modest library.”
Ambassador Athar thanked Al Halabi for the reception and said: "The people of Akkar are very hospitable and humble. I am honored to visit this area of Akkar, which is far from Beirut but is one of the most important regions in Lebanon. We in Pakistan hold great affection for your country, Lebanon."
During the Visit to the Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies for the Greek Orthodox
At the Archdiocese of Akkar and its Dependencies for the Greek Orthodox, Ambassador Athar was received by Archimandrite Yohana Al Mashreqi, representing Metropolitan Basilios Mansour, along with several priests. Archimandrite Al Mashreqi welcomed the guest and discussed with him the affairs of the region and coexistence among all its communities. He said: “One of the advantages of our archdiocese is that it extends across both Lebanese and Syrian regions. In Lebanon as in Syria, we face challenges that we must address. But we live in harmony with everyone. The Greek Orthodox community coexists with all others, whether in Lebanon or Syria. And while we are centered in Halba, which is our main hub, we are also present in many other areas.”
For his part, Ambassador Athar said: “In Pakistan, we have religious and sectarian diversity. We have more than 3 million Christians in Pakistan, and all of us, Muslims and Christians, live together as brothers and work together. As you know, Christianity and Islam are two religions that are close to one another. If Jesus, peace be upon him, and Mary, peace be upon her, were not central to my faith, I would not be Muslim. Therefore, we say that the two religions are not merely close; there is a brotherhood between them. We must play a role in ensuring that the followers of the two religions remain brothers. The teachings of the Prophet and Jesus Christ centered on love and peace for serving humanity. Jesus Christ said, 'If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, this is the essence of the message of love and peace he wanted to convey to people. Therefore, we must understand the teachings of the Prophet more and nurture this mindset. This is how we rid ourselves of wars and destruction, because all religions call us to love one another. Have you ever heard of a religion that calls for harming others? All religions call for treating others kindly. We must all respect each other across all religions and seek ways that lead us to live in harmony. These are duties for all of us. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, delivered a distinguished speech, emphasizing that when we cling to worldly matters, we become attached to this world, while we should focus on our love for God.
Ambassador Athar and Ali El Abdallah concluded the series of extensive meetings with a luncheon at the residence of Ali El Abdallah in Tekrit. The gathering was attended by: Member of the Islamic Sharia Council, Captain Mohamad Murad; Major General Mahmoud Al Asmar; President of the Union of Municipalities of Nahr Al Astawan, Omar Al Hayek; President of the Union of Municipalities of Al Shuft, Tony Abboud; Mayor of Tekrit, Dr. Hala El Abdallah; Mayor of Ayat, Eng. Ahmad Al Hajj and his wife; Mayor of Al Shakdouf, Paul Saoud; Director of the Tekrit Vocational Center, Mr. Zia Al Sanei and his wife; former Akkar region official, Kataeb activist and political figure Mr. Robert Nachar and his wife; Mr. Fouad Zakaria; Dr. Samar Al Bitar; Dr. Haitham Taleb and his wife; Ms. Manal Mahmoud; Pharmacist Jamil El Abdallah; Mr. Khaled Al Shami; and a number of religious leaders, dignitaries, and notable figures, in the presence of Ambassador Athar’s wife, Mr. El Abdallah, and his family. Following the luncheon, they visited the Al Azar and Al Qammoua forests, where they were received by Ahmad Abdo Al Ba’rini and Mayor of Fnaidek, Houssam Joud. The delegation toured the forest and the Al Qammoua area, learning about its environment and its importance to Akkar and northern Lebanon.
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