US envoy to Muslim world

The US State Department has appointed Farah Pandith as its first special representative to Muslim communities.

While an appointment like this should have in my opinion gone to someone with a little more political gravitas eg the first US Muslim congressman Keith Ellison I still think this should be welcomed particularly as a Muslim female has been appointed on merit.

Despite further misgivings over what the exact terms of reference are and why the Representative is reporting to Hillary Clinton in the State Department rather than directly to the President I think the announcement is continuing the confidence building measures by the Obama administration following the closure of Guantanamo bay and the Cairo speech.

There is a mood music developing in the USA which even the Jerusalam Post acknowledges is turning increasingly hostile to Israel. While I've previously mentioned poll results indicating women and Democrats deserting Israel, right wing Republicans like Ron Paul have also called for a dramatic shift in US Foreign policy towards Israel. Lets hope this continues.

London Muslim will be closely following the work of Representative Farah and may cordially extend an invite for her to visit London and meet Muslims here.