While it is not permissible to have a close friend who is an unbeliever, if one needs to join such a person for a meal, such as eating with one’s guest or in a banquet, or casually or to call on him to believe in Islam, or to advise him, this is permissible. This ruling is expressed by Shaikh Abd al-Azeez ibn Baz and Shaikh Abdullah ibn Jibreen.
