INTERFAITH LEADERS GATHER IN WASHINGTON TO ADVANCE GLOBAL PEACE AND RELIGIOUS HARMONY
Pakistani-American Community Figures Join Distinguished Gathering at The Washington Times Building
By Fazal Khaliq | Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON — A high-profile interfaith gathering dedicated to advancing global peace, religious harmony and cooperation among communities was held at The Washington Times building in Washington, D.C., bringing together political, religious, civic and community leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Organized under the banner of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the gathering highlighted the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and collective responsibility in addressing the challenges confronting an increasingly divided world.
The program also carried special significance as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026, providing a broader backdrop for discussions on freedom, faith, human dignity and the responsibilities of leadership in building peaceful societies.
The gathering drew participation from a wide cross-section of American public life, including political figures, government representatives, business and community leaders, faith representatives, scholars and peace advocates.
Speakers and participants emphasized that sustainable peace cannot be achieved solely through political or diplomatic mechanisms, but also requires greater engagement among religious communities, civil society, families and grassroots organizations.
The event underscored the role of interfaith dialogue as a bridge between communities, encouraging religious and civic leaders to move beyond differences and identify shared values capable of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Pakistani-American Presence Draws Attention
The Pakistani-American community was represented at the gathering by several community and civic figures, reflecting its growing participation in interfaith and public-service initiatives in the United States.
Among those attending were young Pakistani student Ameer Hamza Banjri, Dr. Sajid Tarar, Dr. Jesse Singh, Raj Rathore, Muslims of America President Aisha Khan, and Express News Pakistan’s U.S. correspondent Fazal Khaliq, among other community representatives.
Their participation provided an opportunity for interaction with peace advocates and representatives of different faith and ethnic communities, while highlighting the contribution of Pakistani Americans to dialogue, community engagement and peaceful coexistence in the United States.
A special meeting between members of the delegation and UPF representatives became one of the notable moments of the gathering. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation among communities and encouraging younger generations to participate in initiatives centered on peace, leadership and public service.
The participation of young Pakistani-American talent was also highlighted as an example of the community’s emerging generation seeking a constructive role in American civic and social life.
Peace Through Dialogue
Throughout the program, the central message remained clear: religious, political and cultural differences should not become barriers to cooperation.
Participants called for sustained communication among faith communities and greater efforts to build trust at a time when conflicts, religious tensions and social divisions continue to affect societies around the world.
The Universal Peace Federation has long promoted cross-sector and interfaith engagement as part of its peacebuilding work, bringing together religious leaders, public officials, academics, civil society representatives and community advocates around shared principles of cooperation and service.
The Washington gathering reflected that broader vision, with participants stressing that peace must be strengthened not only at the level of governments and international institutions, but also within communities, families and everyday relationships.
For Pakistani-American participants, the occasion also offered an opportunity to project a positive image of Pakistan and its diaspora through engagement in initiatives promoting peace, tolerance and interfaith understanding.
As the gathering concluded, participants reaffirmed the importance of dialogue across religious, political and cultural boundaries and emphasized a shared commitment to building communities where differences are addressed through communication, mutual dignity and peaceful engagement.
The event ultimately delivered a message extending far beyond Washington: lasting peace requires cooperation across faiths, nations and communities—and every society has a role to play in turning that principle into action.
