Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri-Moghadam held a wide-ranging meeting in Islamabad to discuss bilateral cooperation on religious affairs, humanitarian support, and cultural exchanges. The two sides expressed solidarity over recent weather-related losses in Pakistan, agreed to accelerate arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims and workers traveling to Iran and Iraq, and committed to joint efforts to counter religious intolerance, terrorism and Islamophobia while promoting interfaith harmony and modern religious education.
Dr. Amiri-Moghadam conveyed Iran’s condolences over the loss of life and property in Pakistan caused by recent heavy rains and floods and emphasized that Iran stands beside Pakistan as a neighboring brother nation during this difficult time. Both officials underlined their countries’ close ties and mutual support in times of crisis.
The meeting focused on combating religious intolerance, terrorism and sectarianism and on promoting interfaith harmony. The ambassador and the minister exchanged proposals aimed at eliminating religious hatred and extremism, and agreed to cooperate on initiatives to foster understanding among different communities both regionally and internationally.
On practical cooperation, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf said Pakistani pilgrims and workers traveling to Iran and Iraq are being regularized and that Islamabad and Tehran will sign a memorandum of understanding soon to govern pilgrimage and labor movements. He added that the MoU is being prepared with support from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis.
Both officials welcomed recent religious events and cultural collaboration. Dr. Amiri-Moghadam congratulated the minister and the Government of Pakistan on organizing the 50th International Seerat Conference and said the two countries should cooperate to address contemporary challenges, including the impact of social media, in light of the Prophet’s life and teachings. The ambassador also described hosting international Quran recitation competitions after the Seerat conference as a distinct honor for Pakistan; the federal minister said Pakistan will host international Quran recitation events in the near future.
The ambassador expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Pakistan for their role during a recent regional escalation and reaffirmed Iran’s appreciation of Pakistan’s stance. He also highlighted Pakistan’s important role in the global fight against Islamophobia and terrorism.
Finally, both sides agreed to expand scholar and madrasa student exchanges to facilitate Hajj and Umrah cooperation and to promote modern, contemporary education alongside traditional religious studies, strengthening long-term people-to-people and institutional ties between Pakistan and Iran.
