Blair attends dialogue on contemporary issues

British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Sunday visited Faisal Mosque and attended a dialogue organised by International Islamic University on the subject of contemporary issues in Islam.
Tony Blair first visited the historic Faisal Mosque, where he was received by Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Rector of the International University and Dr Anwar H. Siddiqui, President of the University.
Prime Minister Blair was impressed with the beauty of the Mosque, its unique architecture and breathtaking location at the foothills of Margalla hills in the centre of federal capital.
Then he attended an informal discussion on "Contemporary Issues in Islam" with a select group of scholars and intellectuals at the auditorium of the International Islamic University.
Chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Secretary General Pakistan Muslim League Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed led the dialogue.
Blair participating in the discussion said in his view, Palestine issue was the core and it should be resolved in a just manner.
Senator Mushahid said the issue of extremists is a universal threat to mankind and need collective efforts from the world to tackle it.
He told the British Prime Minister that al Qaida like extremist elements are also present in the West in the shape of "neocon."
Mushahid said Muslims are being victimised because of the issues of Iraq, Palestine and Kashmir.
He said, "We are grateful to the Western public opinion and political parties who through their demonstrations in London, Rome, Berlin, Paris and Madrid helped averting a clash of civilisation."
Mushahid 'urged the British Prime Minister to play his due role in resolving the issues confronting Muslim Ummah. He said what happened in the Muslim world had impact within the Western society because a large number of Muslims live in Europe.
The dialogue was held with Dr Manzoor Ahmad, Rector of the University, Dr Khalid Masud, Chairman Islamic Ideology Council, Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, High Commissioner of Pakistan in UK, Dr Anwar H. Siddiqui, President of the International Islamic University, Dr Arifa Syeda Zehra, Chairperson of the States of Women Commission, Dr Mohammad Suheyl Umar, Director Iqbal Academy, Dr Ijaz Shafi Gilani, Dean of Social Sciences, I.I.U., Sir Mark Lyali, British High Commissioner in Pakistan, and Shahr Bano Walahaji.
An intense, free and frank dialogue was held between the participants on current issues pertaining to the Muslim world, its relations between the western and Muslim civilisations.
The role of UK and Europe in resolving the Palestinian and other disputes confronting the Muslims was also discussed on this occasion.
Relations between Pakistan and UK Universities were also highlighted in the discussion.