The Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was the keynote speaker at the International Luncheon, a significant part of the National Prayer Breakfast activities in Washington DC.
The event was attended by over 1400 guests from the United States and different parts of the world, and the Foreign Minister was acknowledged as a young and dynamic leader by the organizing foundation.
In his speech, the Foreign Minister highlighted the role of faith and prayer in life, both individually and collectively as a global community. He stated that “the faith in one Creator that watches over us, guides us, and gives us strength is the bonding feature of all faiths. This sense of unity enables us to see the humanity in those who are different from us, and to treat them with the same kindness and respect that we would want for ourselves.”
Read more: India invites Bilawal for May SCO meeting: Media reports
The Foreign Minister spoke about Islam, saying that “the rights of our fellow human beings – Haqooqul-Ibad – constitute one of the most important pillars of our faith. By asking its followers to treat all people with kindness and respect, regardless of their background or belief, Islam aims to create a society where discord and strife are replaced by unity and harmony.”
Pleased to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, honored to speak at the international luncheon along with Queen Rania of Jordan on need for interfaith harmony and the power of faith as a force of unity. Grateful to the organizers for honoring my mother Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. pic.twitter.com/xRWTP2DWvE
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 3, 2023
He emphasized the many challenges facing the world today and stressed the need to strengthen our belief in compassion and empathy in addressing global issues. He stated, “our fate is tied to the fate of others, and we must work together to build a better future for all.” The Foreign Minister also spoke about the importance of building bridges of understanding, tolerance, and compassion to achieve peace and harmony.
The Foreign Minister also mentioned the devastating floods in Pakistan and expressed his gratitude to the international community for their support and assistance in this difficult time.
Read more: Bilawal Bhutto shares video of promoting mangoes with Luxembourg PM
The National Prayer Breakfast is a prestigious event held annually since 1953 and gathers US and international leaders to discuss contemporary issues with a focus on the significance of faith and democracy. This year’s event was attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan, making the invitation of the Foreign Minister as a keynote speaker at the International Luncheon a recognition of Pakistan’s important role in the discourse.