The BNP has found itself in a humorous situation regarding the invitation of three of its leaders to the United States’ National Prayer Breakfast. To address the confusion, the party has expressed regret. On Sunday (January 12) night, the party’s media cell issued a statement on the matter.
In a statement by BNP Media Cell Convener Professor Moudud Hossain Alamgir, it was said:
“Regarding the news about the invitation extended to the BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, to the National Prayer Breakfast to be held in Washington, D.C., on February 6, we wish to clarify from the BNP Media Cell that the event is not organized by the U.S. government. The National Prayer Breakfast has been held annually since 1953, attended by U.S. Presidents, Senators, Congress members, business leaders, and dignitaries from over 100 countries. The event is organized by the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation, a non-partisan organization that serves as a special forum for political, social, and business elites to gather, meet, discuss, and pray together. This foundation plays a significant role in U.S. policymaking and is dedicated to promoting global peace and fraternity.”
The statement further noted:
“On behalf of the National Prayer Breakfast, the event’s co-chairs, Congressman Ben Cline (Republican) and Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi (Democrat), extended the invitation to BNP’s Acting Chairman. Nonetheless, if any individual or media report has caused confusion about the matter, we sincerely regret it.”
On Saturday (January 11), Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan stated that the BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury had been invited to the National Prayer Breakfast on behalf of the U.S.’s new President, Donald Trump.
Following this, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka clarified that the U.S. government has no involvement in organizing the National Prayer Breakfast, which led to confusion on the matter.