WASHINGTON: The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington hosted an interfaith Iftar dinner in which members of the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist faiths participated and spoke.
A large number of State Department and National Security Council officers, Congressional staff, members of the think tanks, and prominent Pakistani-Americans attended the event.
In his address at the Iftar dinner, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan said that Pakistan is a Country imbued with the spirit of religious freedom and inter-faith harmony.
“Ours is a pluralist society and we promote respect for diversity”, he said.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that fasting, practiced in all religions in one form or the other, promotes sacrifice, discipline, fortitude and empathy with the poor.
“Ramadan is a great equalizer. Rich and poor, privileged and underprivileged all experience hunger and thirst and together strive for physical and spiritual cleansing”, he said.
The ambassador said that Pakistan is trying to create a democratic society where all citizens enjoy equal rights, without discrimination.
Interfaith Iftar dinner is a yearly feature at the Pakistan Embassy which is commended by followers of all religions.
At the event this year, participants characterized the Pakistan event as singular in its nature in Washington DC which brings forth a spirit of universality and harmony among followers of diverse faiths. They were all happy that they broke bread and fast together at the Pakistan Embassy.
