Imam-e-Kaaba to lead Friday prayers in Lahore

Sheikh Khalid al-Ghamidi, Imam-e-Kaaba reached Lahore on Thursday ahead of his week long visit to Pakistan. Reportedly, Sheikh Khalid will stay in the country for a week, four days in Lahore and the remaining three in Islamabad.

Stringent security measures were taken at the airport ahead of the Imam’s arrival. Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Allama Sajid Mir and Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan received the Imam at the airport. Sheikh Khalid will also lead the Jumma prayers at and deliver his Khutbah at the Grand Jamia Mosque at Lahore. The mosque is located in Bahria Town and is the seventh largest mosque in the world. In terms of accommodating worshipers, it is the largest mosque of Pakistan, with a capacity to house more than 25,000 people in its hall and a total capacity of 70,000 worshipers. He is also expected to deliver a sermon to the large gathering at the vast mosque.

The Imam-e-Kaaba will also attend lunch on the invitation of Punjab Chief Minister Sharif. Both countries are placing special emphasis on the visit of Sheikh Khalid al-Ghamidi. His sermon is likely to focus on integrating and uniting Muslim forces against evil forces.

It is likely that the conflict in Yemen will come up in discussions as the Imam will conduct meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and senior members of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) as well as government officials.