I attended a discussion at a breakfast event where Farah Pandith, the first ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities for the US Department of State. She was appointed in 2009 by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. She spoke about her role and her mission as she travels through Europe and other countries. The Department of State is making every effort to show that the US is keen to repair and build their relationship with Muslim communities across the world. Farah highlighted several measures they are initiating to further Clinton’s vision, but was critical of the role that media played in often misrepresenting situations.
Some of the questions touched upon the often ambivalent nature of American stance towards the Muslim world and the gap between their stated intentions and action.