Pakistan is hosting a two-day
International Conference in Islamabad on January 27-28, 1999, on 100 Years of
the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a mark of solidarity and goodwill for the
brotherly nation. The theme of the Conference is “Saudi Arabia as a source of
strength and stability in the Muslim world”.
The kingdom is currently
celebrating 100 Years of Its consolidation and reconstruction. The year 1319 of
Hijra Calendar marked the beginning of a new era for the Arabian Peninsula when
the late Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud unified the different parts to
establish the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was a great event in contemporary
history, as historic as the birth of Pakistan in 1947.
For Pakistan the event of the
completion of 100 years of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also of great
significance. Both the nations have much in common: their religion; their
culture; their history as ideological states; and their quest for a better
tomorrow in the 21st century as a modern welfare Islamic state.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have
maintained extremely cordial relations and strong ties of mutual trust,
cooperation and brotherhood since times immemorial. Even before Pakistan’s
independence, close fraternal ties had existed between the Muslim national of
the sub-continent led by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Au Jinnah and the great Founder
of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
King Abdul Aziz sent a donation
of Pounds Sterling 10,000 for the relief of the Muslims of Bengal during the
1943-famine. This donation was sent not to the British Administration but to
the Quaid-i-Azam as President of the Muslim League and was a manifestation of
the highest regards king Abdul Aziz had not just for the Muslim nation of the
sub-continent but also for the leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam.
On the establishment of Pakistan,
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was one of those brotherly Muslim countries who
accorded immediate recognition to the new Islamic State. Today, the two
brotherly nations have come a long way in their close cooperation in different
fields of common interest. The relationship between the two countries stands
out today as a model of brotherhood, progress and stability in the region.
The two-day International
Conference in Islamabad is not just an expression of solidarity with he Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, but also a tribute to the Saudi nation on their remarkable
transformation from a desert nation into a prosperous modern state ready to
enter the new millennium holding its head high.
To commemorate the occasion Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of 2 commemorative Postage Stamps denomination of Rs 15 and Rs 2 and a Souvenir Sheet of Rs 20 on January 27, 1999. First Day of Issue covers and leaflet priced at Rs 3 and Rs 5 are also brought out.
