Earlier this month, a delegation that included Pakistanis and Pakistani-Americans traveled to Israel to promote interfaith harmony. The visit drew sharp criticism. in Pakistan, where opposition leaders have accused government of organization of the trip in order to pave way recognize Israel.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly denied such reports, explaining that the trip was organized by a foreign NGO and not Pakistan. It’s further added that the country’s position on Jewish state remains clear and clearly.
The delegation that fell under the fire was headed by Anila Ali, an American of Pakistani origin. Geo.tv talked to Ali about the goal of The trip and the subsequent reaction. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Excerpts:
Q. Why did you decide to take a delegation to Israel?
Anila Ali: Target of the visit was to see the Accords of Abraham in action. I board member of Sharak and others. group AMVEK [American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council]. Through AMWEC we build interfaith ties with people of different communities in America. So it was a natural union with Muslims and Jews whom we became partners and decided to visit not just Israel, as well as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Q. Why Pakistanis were included in in group?
Anila Ali: AMWEC includes Muslims, Jews, Christians, Orthodox Greeks and Sikhs. on our advisory board And we build ties with multi-confessionalism community.
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We also empower women as the majority of us Muslims women from pakistan we elevate pakistani muslim voice. As well as of of course pakistani wanted go. We have a lot of interest in Pakistanis go to Israel to see what they like and check it out out for themselves. To see what the Israelis like because they never met Israelis. Also the main motive [factor] pray at Masjid al-Aqsa.
B. How much people were part of Your delegation?
Anila Ali: We were 17 people including Sharaka group. Sharaka is an Arabic word meaning partnership. Sharaki – Arabs and Israelis of Abraham’s Agreement countries, who promote peace between Jews and Muslims, Arabs and Israelis. We are partners with they, they are who took us.
B. What were the nationalities of those who walked with You?
Anila Ali: We had British Pakistanis, American Pakistanis and two Pakistanis. with us too much.
Q. Have Pakistani citizens been approved by government?
Anila Ali: I am very grateful to Imran Khan. government for allowing Fischel BenHald to travel to Jerusalem so that he could pray in his holy place.
I was given a guarantee that they would not stop him when he arrived. back. And I also thanks to Imran Khan government that he allowed BenHald, for in first time in in history of Pakistan to write “Judaism” as their religion on his passport. So yes, I had the approval for Fishel.
Ahmad Quraishi is a freelance journalist who writes about MENA region and well aware of national security, extremism and the fight against terrorism are the areas in which our Muslim non-governmental organization works. on since September 11th.
Q. Do you think it was the right time to visit Israel?
Anila Ali: Our trip was planned for many months in promote. it just happened, unfortunately, at the same time that Dr. Shirin Mazari was using it for her own political goals and then Imran Khan also used our trip to stir up hatred for a group of emigrants.
Is not first the time when government or someone related with in government left for Israel. BUT group of Pakistani American doctors recently visited Israel on a truth-Looking for mission. I don’t want name names, but we must understand that Americans are free people, they can do what they like, they can say what they like And we in very unique job title in America to change the narratives themselves.
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The job of a journalist or the job of a Muslim is to seek the truth, look around and report it and build world.
B. As you can see future of Pakistani-Israeli ties?
Anila Ali: I can not talk for Pakistan government and i can’t speak for Israeli government too, but I can talk for Pakistani people life in America and in Pakistan.
I was extremely flooded with Messages of support from young people mostly from those who want jobs, they want a better life and they say it’s not our conflict. We should don’t hate them, we should work with them, so that our country can benefit. Turkey, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco are Muslim. countries so why not Pakistan?
If Pakistan joins Abraham’s agreements, I think it would good for Pakistan too. they can benefit from agricultural technology and water technology [from Israel]. Also, I think it will in best position for help Palestinians. So it could be win-win situation for Pakistan.
C. Like the Israelites government receive a delegation?
Anila Ali: We met with the president of Israel. He welcomed us warmly and kindly. I told him I am a proud Pakistani American born in Pakistan, worked there at the Karachi gymnasium, then moved to Saudi Arabia, after which he came to America.
We found Israelis to be the most welcoming, the most generous and very kind to us. What was the biggest moment of surprise for us I saw so many Muslims – Arabs, young men with bearded, old men with beards and women in hijab – worker for Israeli government.
Read more: The TV channel fired the journalist for be a part of delegation in Israel
There are cities we have visited like Abu Ghosh, most of the Arabs. There you can hear the azan and the ringing of church bells. If they can live together in Israel with Jews the same should happen with Palestinians.
B. you know that journalist Ahmed Quraishi was fired from his job at state television after the visit?
Anila Ali: Ahmed is a journalist. He should have the freedom to seek knowledge as it comes says in Holy Koran.
V. did anyone from Pakistani government contact you after the visit?
Anila Ali: Not one from government contacted me.
