ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Aug, 2026) Chairman, Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi announced that the Pakistan Ulema Council and its allied religious organizations would observe August 14 as ‘Day of Independence, Thanksgiving and Unity of Ummah’, to commemorate the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. He said stronger unity among Muslim nations could help address extremism, hatred, terrorism and other challenges confronting the Muslim world, while creating greater momentum towards resolving the major issues facing the Ummah. The PUC chairman particularly highlighted Palestine and Kashmir as two of the most important issues confronting the Muslim world and called for greater collective attention and efforts towards their resolution. Ashrafi extended his appeal beyond Pakistan, urging Ulema, Mashaikh, preachers, religious speakers and scholars around the world to dedicate their sermons and addresses on August 14 to the themes of unity, gratitude and solidarity. “The message of August 14 should be one of unity, gratitude, peace and solidarity, with a renewed commitment to strengthening Pakistan and the wider Muslim Ummah,” he maintained.