WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan has urged faith and community leaders to work together to promote inter-religious harmony during a meeting at his residence on Saturday.
The faith leaders comprised Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.
“The strong bonds of humanity bind us all together. While we maintain our religious beliefs and identities, we have to work collectively, as one community, for the larger national interests and projecting the true image of Pakistan,” the ambassador told them, according to a press release issued by the Pakistani embassy in Washington.
“Pakistan is committed to protecting the rights of minorities and providing them with an enabling environment to contribute towards socio-economic development and nation-building process.”
Terming American faith leaders’ visits to Pakistan to promote people-centric diplomacy, Masood Khan invited leaders of all faiths to explore the country and build bridges among communities.
Many of the faith leaders at the ambassador’s reception had visited Pakistan and shared their pleasant experiences.
Masood Khan appreciated the services of faith and community leaders, including Ilyas Masih and Raj Rathore, who he said have been making efforts to unite communities and bring the US and Pakistan together through people-to-people contacts and exchanges.
Ilyas Masih, President of All Neighbours International, thanked the ambassador and the embassy of Pakistan for providing a platform to all faiths and communities and facilitating people-to-people exchanges.
Other participants also shared their thoughts about Pakistan and its people and their experiences visiting the country.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Khalsa, Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Sikh Council, who is currently visiting the United States, said the opening of the Kartarpur corridor and the issuance of commemorative coin on the 550th anniversary of the birth of Baba Guru Nanak, renovation and restoration of Gurdwaras and Hindu temples across Pakistan, the celebration of religious occasions, allocation of job quota in the government services as well as in top legislative bodies may not have attracted adequate attention of the media but these measures bear testimony to the commitment of Pakistan and its society. APP
