What US embassy says about BNP leaders’ invitation to National Prayer Breakfast
The US government and the Department of State do not manage or influence the planning, invitations and participants in the IRF Summit or the National Prayer Breakfast, the US embassy has said.
Asked about BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury being invited to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States next month, a US Embassy official gave a statement this evening, on behalf of Acting Spokesperson of the Asha Beh, saying that the United States is not hosting, organising, or funding the IRF Summit or National Prayer Breakfast.
"The IRF Summit is distinct from the International Religious Freedom Ministerials organised annually by the US and partner governments, which the German government most recently hosted in Berlin on 10-11 October 2024.
"The United States welcomes government and civil society engagement on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms both at home and around the world, including on freedom of religion or belief," the statement said.
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It further said that those seeking information on the purpose, opportunities for participation, plans, schedules, components, or any other aspect of the IRF Summit may be directed to the organisation's website at www. irfsummit. org. Information on the National Prayer Breakfast is available at www. Npbfoundation. com.
"The statements, comments, positions, and opinions of participants or former officials at the IRF Summit or National Prayer Breakfast should not be interpreted as representing the opinions, positions, or policies of the US government," the US embassy official said.
