Islamabad, Pakistan - The imam of Islam's holiest shrine called for an end to extremism and sectarian violence in an address to tens of thousands of worshippers in the Pakistani capital on Friday.
An estimated 125,000 people turned out at the giant Faisal Mosque in Islamabad to welcome Al-Sheikh Abdul Rehman Al-Sudais, the imam of the Kaaba at Mecca in Saudi Arabia, police said.
"This religion, which will stay forever, is opposed to sectarianism and extremism and teaches us moderation in our lives," he told the crowd, which spilled out of the mosque and into the streets.
"With unity in our ranks we can resolve the problems being faced by Muslims today, like the Palestinian issue, Al-Aqsa mosque, or the difficulties people are facing in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon."
The cleric then led prayers attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, cabinet ministers, political and religious leaders and MPs.
Security was tight with some 2,000 police and troops deployed around the mosque and medical teams on stand-by.
Al-Sudais flew into the eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday on a week-long visit at the invitation of the government of President Pervez Musharraf.
Musharraf has faced growing problems from pro-Taliban extremists in Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and from radical students behind an anti-vice campaign in the capital.