Minister for Culture, Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani and Ambassador of Iraq, Dr Rushdi Al-Ani have expressed their strong desire to further strengthen cultural ties and renew cultural exchange programme between the two countries. The Iraqi ambassador showed desire for co-operation between the two countries in the field of culture and education during his meeting with the minister here on Thursday.
He expressed gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for according him very warm welcome as ambassador in Pakistan. He said that though both countries have different customs and culture, religiously are inspired from same ancestors who came from Middle East to Pakistan for preaching Islam.
The minister expressed that Iraq is brotherly country and considered a close friend. "Our culture, history and religion keep us united. Our venerated and pious personalities are buried in Iraq like Hazrat Ali (RA), Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA)", the minister said. Pakistanis derive spiritual inspirations from these pious personalities, adding that unfortunately Iraq and Pakistan both are facing turmoil and wished that soon environment would change and stability will come. The ambassador invited the minister to visit Iraq to further strengthen cultural relations.-PR