During his recent visit to Washington for the National Prayer Breakfast, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between Pakistan and the United States through religious unity.
Speaking after the event, Bilawal described it as an excellent opportunity to foster interfaith harmony.
At the breakfast, attended by US President Donald Trump and other global dignitaries, Bilawal highlighted the gathering of people from various parts of the world and emphasized the unifying power of faith.
During his address at the closing ceremony, he reflected on his personal faith journey, deeply intertwined with personal loss, including the assassination of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, along with the tragic deaths of his uncles Shahnawaz and Mir Murtaza Bhutto.
Bilawal articulated a strong message about the role of religion in uniting rather than dividing people. “Religion is often used to divide us, but the great thing about faith, about God, about the Almighty, about religion, is that it’s a force that unites us, and never let anyone tell you otherwise,” he asserted. He emphasized the universal appeal of Jesus Christ’s teachings, valued in Christianity and Islam, highlighting that every Muslim, contrary to popular belief, holds Jesus in high regard.
Bilawal’s first participation in a ceremony hosted by President Trump, who arrived in the US specifically for this purpose on Monday. The event, referred to by Bilawal as the “International Prayer Breakfast,” lasted nearly seven hours, starting at 7 AM US time. Throughout his stay, Bilawal engaged in personal capacity meetings with members of Congress, as he no longer holds the position of foreign minister.
Bilawal expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate, saying, “I’m grateful to the National Prayer Breakfast, or rather, the International Prayer Breakfast, for providing us the chance to unite around our shared belief in Jesus.” His participation underscores a continued effort to bridge gaps between faith communities and enhance diplomatic relations through shared spiritual values.
