Obama praises Dalai Lama at prayer breakfast

David Jackson | USA TODAY

President Obama praised the Dalai Lama and condemned the Islamic State during his annual address on faith at Thursday's National Prayer Breakfast.

The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader who is an object of attack by the Chinese government, is "a good friend" and "a powerful example of what it means to practice compassion," Obama said to warm applause.

He "inspires us to speak up for the freedom and dignity of all human beings," the president said.

China objects to any presidential meeting with the Dalai Lama, calling him a dangerous separatist. Obama and the Dalai Lama — who supports freedom for Tibet — have met privately at the White House; this was the first time they have appeared at the same public event.

A senior White House adviser — Valerie Jarrett —- sat at the Dalai Lama's table during the president's remarks.

The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual Washington event that brings together lawmakers from both parties and leaders from a variety of religions.

In discussing the role of faith in public life, Obama stressed that too many religions are "twisted and misused in the name of evil" by people who use faith as a "weapon." He cited a string of terrorist attacks from Pakistan to Paris, though he did not single out a specific religion and noted that faith has been abused by all religions throughout history.

"As people of faith, we are summoned to push back against those who've tried to distort our religion — any religion — for their own nihilistic ends," Obama said.

The president did criticize the Islamic State, calling it "a brutal, vicious death cult that, in the name of religion, carries out unspeakable acts of barbarism."

Obama also reported that he recently received a letter from Saeed Abedini, a pastor held captive in Iran who described himself as a "prisoner for Christ."

"We're going to keep up this work for Pastor Abedini and all those around the world who are unjustly held or persecuted because of their faith," said Obama, who met recently with Abedini's family.

King Abdullah of Jordan was scheduled for a reading but went back to his home country after news that the Islamic State had executed a Jordanian hostage.

A prayer for world leaders was delivered by Kent Brantly, a doctor who survived a bout with Ebola. NASCAR champion driver Darrell Waltrip delivered the keynote address at this year's event.

Waltrip alternated a discussion of his journey of faith with amusing stories from the race track, inspiring a tribute from Obama about the National Prayer Breakfast.

"There aren't that many occasions that bring his Holiness (the Dalai Lama) under the same roof as NASCAR," Obama said. "This may be the first ... but God works in mysterious ways."

Obama also said he is "looking forward to welcoming Pope Francis to the United States later this year." The pope will be in Washington to address a joint session of Congress on Sept. 24.