WASHINGTON – US lawmaker and Co-Chair of Congressional Pakistan Caucus,Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, Lee resolved to make efforts towardsimproving bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States at anIftar Dinner held at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.The Interfaith Iftar Dinner was also attended by Assistant Secretary ofState Ms. Alice Wells,Congressmen Andre Carson, and eminent representatives of Muslim, Christian,Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh religions – Jo Reed, Reverend David Milam,Mr. Nanak Lahori, Mr. Walter Ruby, Mr. AlbertSabir and Dr. Rajwant Singh.
Ms. Lee, who has visited Pakistan in the past and have advocated goodrelations between thetwo countries said she would work on the Capitol Hill for further deepeningof the linkages between Pakistan and the US through diplomacy and mutualcooperation.
Bilateral relations have been tensed after the Trump administrationwithheld security assistanceto Pakistan over alleged lack of cooperation in fighting terrorism.Islamabad has rejected thosecharges, citing immense sacrifices that country has made as a global allyof the fight againstterrorism.
The Congresswoman also held a media briefing this weekend on theUS-Pakistan relationswhere she emphasized on use of diplomacy between Pakistan and the US toimprove ties andworking together for mutual goals.
Reflecting on the recent school shooting incident in Santa Fe, Texas thatclaimed lives of nine students and a teacher, including a Pakistani girlstudying on an exchange program, she emphasizedthe need for tolerance, charity and peace.Earlier, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry welcomed the guests at the dinnerthat is heldevery year to share the blessings of Ramazan and promote interfaithharmony, peace andcooperation.
He said that peace, love and tolerance are the essence of all faiths in theworld. Quoting from Surah Asr of the Holy Quran, he reflected on theverses, which promotes commitment to a right cause, standing up for it andpatiently pursuing it in the face of adversity.The Ambassador emphasized the significance of tolerance and interfaithharmony for a vibrant, tolerant and pluralistic Pakistan.
Congressman Andre Carson in his remarks said that Ramadan is a month ofintrospection, tolerance and restraint, which should guide us in our lives.Speaking on the occasion, eminent representatives of Muslim, Christian,Jewish, Hindu,Buddhist and Sikh religions emphasized the importance of interfaith harmonyand tolerance. Theleaders of faith prayed in their languages for world peace and highlightedthe commonalities presentin their religions which serve to foster harmony, love and humanity in theworld.A moment of silence was observed for deceased Pakistani student Ms. SabikaSheikh, andother victims of shooting in Santa Fe High School, Texas.
The guests at the event, coming from different faiths and walks of lifeincluding Americans government officials, commended the Embassy forproviding speakers of different faiths a platformto share the message of common values of humanity. – APP