India, Patna: Today, Moti-ur-Rehman, chairman of Tauheed Educational Trust and the main organizer of the conference, said, the Imam of Masjid al-Haram of Kaaba in Mecca, who was scheduled to lead Juma prayers at Gandhi Maidan in the city on April 1, is not coming because the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia was denied his visa. He told the media on Thursday that the reason behind denying visa to the Imam was yet not clear.

Sheikh Saleh Mohammed Ibrahim Aal Talib was to lead the Juma prayers and also attend a peace conference on ‘The contribution of Islam in establishment of peace and stability’ for which preparations and security arrangements had already been completed. Rehman said the scheduled Friday prayer at Gandhi Maidan has been cancelled.

However, he said several other dignitaries would address the conference from 4pm to 10pm. He said every official step required for such programmes was taken and formalities for inviting dignitaries from abroad were completed. He said a no-objection certificate was already provided by the state’s principal secretary (Home) Amir Subhani.