By the President of the Scholars of Pakistan,
Maulana Muhammad Abdul Hameed al‑Qadri al‑BadiyuniA delegation representing the scholars of Pakistan visited Cairo this month at the invitation of Al‑Azhar Al‑Sharif and the Ministry of Guidance. The purpose of this visit was to strengthen the friendly relations between Egypt and Pakistan on the one hand, and between Al‑Azhar and the scholars of Pakistan on the other.
The delegation consisted of Maulana Muhammad Abdul Hameed al‑Qadri al‑Badiyuni, President of the Scholars’ Association in Pakistan and head of the delegation; Maulana Nasir Jalali; Maulana Nasir Fadha; Maulana Ahmad Noorani; Mr. Husayn Imam; and Mr. Abdul‑Mun‘im al‑Adawi, editor of Al‑Arab magazine published in Pakistan in the Arabic language, who served as secretary of the delegation.
A conversation took place between the representative of Sarkhat al‑Arab and the head of the delegation, Mr. al‑Badiyuni, which we present to our readers below.
I asked Mr. al‑Badiyuni, during a private meeting at the Continental Hotel where the delegation was staying as guests of the Egyptian government, whether he could tell Sarkhat al‑Arab something about the aims of the Scholars’ Association he presides over in Pakistan. He replied:
“This association was founded after the establishment of the State of Pakistan in 1948, and since its inception it has rendered the most noble and beneficial services to Muslims around the world.
There is no Islamic liberation movement that arises in any land afflicted by colonialism without our association raising its voice in support of that movement, standing by it, and assisting its fighters. This is also our stance toward every Islamic cause, whether inside Pakistan or beyond. Our association was the first to raise its voice in support of Egypt in its call for evacuation and the unity of the Nile Valley. We also supported the causes of Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Kashmir.”
Two Great Kings
He continued: “Since we are speaking about the aims of the association, I must record here with pride the noble stance of two great kings of Islam: the late King Abdulaziz Al Saud and his illustrious successor King Saud.
As for King Abdulaziz Al Saud, he graciously responded to the request submitted by the Scholars’ Association of Pakistan asking for the abolition of pilgrimage fees. His Majesty granted this request, sacrificing the considerable revenue that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia used to receive from these fees—no less than forty million pounds. It was, as you can see, a substantial amount, yet His Majesty immediately ordered its cancellation. Beyond that, he surrounded our association with moral encouragement and bestowed upon it much care and support.
As for His Majesty King Saud, successor of that great man, he—may God strengthen him—issued a royal decree warning his subjects against enrolling their children in missionary schools, in order to safeguard their inherited Islamic beliefs and traditions.
This royal decree was received with great appreciation by the Scholars’ Association of Pakistan, by Islamic organizations, and by Muslim Arab families in Pakistan. It left a noble and welcome impression.
On behalf of the Scholars’ Association of Pakistan, I extend once again—on the pages of Sarkhat al‑Arab—our heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty King Saud for this commendable step, which, coming from a great Muslim king, carries profound meaning and value in the hearts of the faithful.”
Source: Sarkhat al‑Arab Magazine, May 1955, Issue No. 5.