Delegation Includes Prominent Political and Religious Leaders to Strengthen Interfaith Dialogue and China-Pakistan Relations.
Peshawar: A high-level twelve-member delegation led by Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, has arrived in China. The delegation held key meetings with the IRCRA (International Research Council for Religious Affairs) team and Chinese diplomats at the Chinese Embassy prior to their formal visit.
The delegation includes prominent political and religious figures such as Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs Sahibzada Adnan Qadri, Minister for Social Welfare Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Provincial Chairman of the Qaumi Watan Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute Dr. Zia ul Haq, Vice President of Darul Uloom Karachi Maulana Zubair Ashraf Usmani, Head of Jamia Ahsan-ul-Uloom Maulana Anwar Shah, Spokesperson of Wifaq ul Madaris Maulana Abdul Quddus Muhammadi, Maulana Usama Ajmal, Maulana Muhammad Ahmad, Syed Shah Faisal, Haji Muhammad Abrar, and other respected scholars and leaders.
This official visit has been organized at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Religious Diplomacy Program facilitated by IRCRA. Owing to its success and growing influence, this initiative has gained global recognition. This year’s delegation is uniquely comprised of both political and religious leaders, reflecting a broader vision for mutual cooperation.
The planning and coordination of this year’s program were led by Muhammad Israr Madani and the IRCRA team, who worked diligently to ensure its success. The core aim of the visit is to strengthen social, religious, and cultural ties between China and the Muslim world, including Pakistan, while promoting interfaith dialogue and enhancing regional cooperation.
The delegation will visit Urumchi and Kashgar in the Xinjiang region, as well as Beijing, where they will meet with senior officials of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the central leadership of the Communist Party of China, Muslim community leaders, academic institutions, and key cultural centers.
This long-running program, spearheaded by Professor Dr. Qibla Ayaz (former Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology) and Muhammad Israr Madani, has played a vital role in deepening mutual understanding and dialogue between China and Muslim communities worldwide.
During discussions, Chinese diplomats including Minister Counselor Mr. Xu praised the significance of the visit, stating that Xinjiang is a rapidly developing province, and this visit will have a positive impact on further strengthening China-Pakistan relations.
Barrister Dr. Saif and the delegation expressed their gratitude to Chinese officials and described the visit as a major milestone in diplomatic and interfaith engagement. Both the Chinese diplomats and the visiting delegation also extended special thanks to the IRCRA coordination team, including Muhammad Israr Madani, Bushra Ali, Sher Shah, Mohsin Arab, and Madiha Awan, for their continued support and effective liaison throughout the planning process.