JEDDAH – Dr. Francis Lamand, president of “Islam and the West,” a Paris-based non-profit making organization, has worked toward developing cultural, social, and economic relations between Muslims and the western world for decades. On his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Lamand shared with Saudi Gazette his personal and organization's achievements. An international lawyer by profession, Lamand said that one of his most notable achievements after becoming the president of “Islam and the West” is when he had introduced Dr. Abdullah Omar Nassef, the ex-secretary general of Muslim World League, to Pope John Paul II in 1984. The meeting between Nassef and the Pope had served as the building block of cooperation between the Muslims and the West. Lamand, an ardent admirer of renowned musician, philosopher, and poet Mohammed Allama Iqbal, said his second most cherished achievement was reciting one of Iqbal's poem in the ‘Mihrab' (niche in the wall of a mosque) of Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain, when it was a mosque, in 1991. The poem, which sheds light on Islamic beliefs and universal brotherhood, was written by Iqbal in the same cathedral. After much persuasion, Lamand had sought permission from the Pope to recite the poem in the ‘Mihrab,' which was then opened for him for the first time in 800 years. Leaders from the Muslim world considered this feat a remarkable achievement, and another stepping stone toward bridging the gap between both worlds. On that day, Lamand was also given the title “Allama Lamand.” He further said that “Islam and the West” has been successful in organizing many international conferences, protecting mosques and Muslims in Europe, publishing of religious articles in western print media, securing rights for telecasting Islamic programs in France, which were earlier restricted for Christianity and Judaism only, among many others. Lamand was also invited by the Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) here recently, where he strongly spoke in favor of stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh to be allowed to return to Pakistan. He said that he has spoken about this issue with ex-president of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf, when the latter was on a short visit to Paris recently, and has also met high-ranking Pakistani and Bangladeshi officials regarding the issue. In March 2013, Lamand will be honored with the “Medal of Excellence” by the president of Pakistan for his achievements. Impressed with the developments in Saudi Arabia, Lamand hailed King Abdullah's, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, reforms, including promoting women's participation in social affairs, enhancing the quality of education, setting up several organizations that promote social development and creating an anti-corruption commission, among others. Lamand is also writing a book on the king titled “King Abdullah – Reformer and Visionary.” He said the reforms undertaken by the king are essential for the future of the Muslim world.
