Washington:
Indian American Farah Pandith was formally sworn in as the Special Representative to Muslim communities by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
At a ceremony of the State Department, Farah's mother held the Quran on which she took the oath administered by Clinton. Pandith is the first Special Representative to Muslim Communities of the United States.
Wishing her best success in this job, Clinton said Pandith was best suitable in this position. "It is apparent now more than ever that we have to do more to promote dialogue and diplomacy, and Farah will play a key role in that process for us," she said.
Farah was joined by her brother, her aunt, and her cousin.
This appointment, Clinton said could not have come at a more opportune time.
"As President Barack Obama said in Cairo and Ankara, our nation seeks a new beginning with Muslims around the world, a relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect. Its a relationship that requires us to listen, share ideas, and find areas of common ground in order to expand a peaceful, prosperous future," the US Secretary said.
The top American diplomat said it is apparent now more than ever that we have to do more to promote dialogue and diplomacy, and Farah will play a key role in that process for the US.
"During this holy month of Ramadan, we reflect on Islams teachings of charity, community and cooperation. And I look forward to hosting, tonight, an Iftar that affirms our commitment to turn those common values into common ground and common action," Clinton said.
The US Secretary said the new office of the special representative was established to make sure that we are fully engaged. Now, it is one thing if people know everything about you and conclude you are their enemy. It is something entirely different if they know very little or nothing about you except propaganda, stereotypes, and inaccurate generalisations, and conclude that we are an enemy.
"This is a dialogue that is not going to focus solely on terrorism or radicalization, but instead, focus on what all of us have in common, what we all hope for our children, the kind of questions that are asked around every breakfast, lunch, and dinner table in the world about whether were going to have a peaceful, prosperous and stable world," she said.
According to Clinton, we have to focus on concerns of specific Muslim communities.
"How are we going to engage with young Muslims in Europe who feel marginalized or disassociated from their communities? How do we make sure that the message we send from our country is not just government to government, but people to people, community to community? And Farah is well prepared to help us in this task," she said.
At a ceremony of the State Department, Farah's mother held the Quran on which she took the oath administered by Clinton. Pandith is the first Special Representative to Muslim Communities of the United States.
Wishing her best success in this job, Clinton said Pandith was best suitable in this position. "It is apparent now more than ever that we have to do more to promote dialogue and diplomacy, and Farah will play a key role in that process for us," she said.
Farah was joined by her brother, her aunt, and her cousin.
This appointment, Clinton said could not have come at a more opportune time.
"As President Barack Obama said in Cairo and Ankara, our nation seeks a new beginning with Muslims around the world, a relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect. Its a relationship that requires us to listen, share ideas, and find areas of common ground in order to expand a peaceful, prosperous future," the US Secretary said.
The top American diplomat said it is apparent now more than ever that we have to do more to promote dialogue and diplomacy, and Farah will play a key role in that process for the US.
"During this holy month of Ramadan, we reflect on Islams teachings of charity, community and cooperation. And I look forward to hosting, tonight, an Iftar that affirms our commitment to turn those common values into common ground and common action," Clinton said.
The US Secretary said the new office of the special representative was established to make sure that we are fully engaged. Now, it is one thing if people know everything about you and conclude you are their enemy. It is something entirely different if they know very little or nothing about you except propaganda, stereotypes, and inaccurate generalisations, and conclude that we are an enemy.
"This is a dialogue that is not going to focus solely on terrorism or radicalization, but instead, focus on what all of us have in common, what we all hope for our children, the kind of questions that are asked around every breakfast, lunch, and dinner table in the world about whether were going to have a peaceful, prosperous and stable world," she said.
According to Clinton, we have to focus on concerns of specific Muslim communities.
"How are we going to engage with young Muslims in Europe who feel marginalized or disassociated from their communities? How do we make sure that the message we send from our country is not just government to government, but people to people, community to community? And Farah is well prepared to help us in this task," she said.
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