Kashmiri-Origin Woman Obamas Aide for MuslimsÆ

[qsaark]

A Kashmiri Muslim woman has been appointed by the administration of US President Barack Obama as a special representative for Muslim communities, in line with his policy to reach out to Muslims around the world. The appointment was made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, reports reaching Srinagar said on Friday, IRNA reported. The appointment follows the June 4 speech in Cairo by President Obama to Muslim world in which he sought “a new beginning“ between the United States and Muslims “based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and...based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition“.

Farah Pandit would carry out new US administration efforts to “engage with Muslims around the world on a people-to-people and organizational level“, reports quoting officials said. Pandit, who immigrated to the United States with her parents from Srinagar, was quoted as saying that she sees her personal experience as an illustration of how Muslim immigrants to the United States could successfully integrate into American society. She was previously adviser on Muslim engagement at the State Department, serving as a senior adviser to the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. Serving on the National Security Council as coordinator for US policy on outreach to the minority community, Pandit worked at the US Agency for International Development on assistance projects for Iraq, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories. According to Boston Globe, Pandit is a long way from the violence of her native Kashmir, but it is never far from her thoughts. She wrote her thesis on the dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, and in 1994 secured grants to visit her war-ravaged homeland. Pandit who lives in Canton with her mother and brother, has visited Kashmir at least 20 times in an effort to help find a way to end the conflict.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, tensions have risen even higher in Kashmir, and Pandit has often been asked to speak at schools about the situation. Although she was raised in Milton and Braintree, Pandit remains closely aligned with Kashmir, a region with 12 million residents sitting between the northern borders of India and Pakistan. Pandit arrived in the United States as a toddler on July 4, 1969. She came with her mother, Mehbooba Anwar (who has retired as medical director of Massachusetts Respiratory Hospital in Braintree), and her brother, Adeel Pandith, 28. Her father arrived in 1970 and Pandit’s parents divorced when she was 10. Pandit attended Milton Academy, where as co-class president she sharpened her leadership skills.

 

[qsaark]

Sana Altaf

SRINAGAR, June 26: Appointment of Farah Pandit as the special emissary of US government to Muslim world brought jubilations, pride and festivity among her family and relatives here.

Barzulla area, where her family members and close relatives live, became the centre of attraction for their other relatives, friends and well wishers, who made a bee line to greet them.

Media persons from different organisations converged there to talk to the jubilant family members.

Subsequently, an environment of celebration prevailed all around the Pandit premises at Barzulla. With the arrival of guests, the whole clan of Pandits gathered to celebrate the occasion. Most of the time the family could be seen busy either talking to Farah's parents in US or recalling the days of Farah's birth and childhood in Kashmir.
While one of her cousins went nostalgic flipping through an old album with Farah's picture when she was three year old, tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of her aunt.

"We cannot believe that it is our Farah who has achieved so much in her life. She has given us the most beautiful moment of our lives. I wish I could hug her and kiss her," expressed Farah's aunt.

Expressing her joy, Maheen, Farah's cousin said, "It feels really great that my cousin has been appointed at such a high post. It is matter of pride not only for us but for every Kashmiri. I wish we could be with her this time."

The general strike here could not stop the relatives, friends and well wishers to reach the Pandits at Barzulla. They said more people from outside Srinagar wanted to come and greet them but could not do so because of the strike and restrictions imposed by the people on the movement of people.

"We have been receiving telephone calls from our relatives from outside Srinagar. They have been greeting us since the US government announced the appointment of Farah," said a relative.

Born in 1968, Farah belongs to a business family of Kashmir. Her father, Muhammad Anwar Pandit, is originally from Sopore. Her mother, a doctor is from Srinagar city.

The family of Pandits shifted from Sopore to Barzulla years back where Farah's uncles continue to live.

In early 70s Farah's parents shifted to United States and stayed in Boston, where her father continued his business.

"We all Pandits live here at Barzulla only. Anwar Sahib too has his house here. But since they shifted to US, it has been given on rent," said Farah's Aunt.

Farah was only four years old when her parents shifted to US. After doing her schooling in United States only, she did her law from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and soon got involved in politics.

"She always wanted to do something for the Muslims of the world, particularly the Muslim women. She has always tried to build a bridge between the Muslim world and the US government," added Syed Basharat, another relative.

He revealed that she was highly interested in conflict areas, "and even did her post graduation thesis on Kashmir insurgency."

Farah, now in her early 40s is the highest ranked South Asian in White House. She will be responsible for reaching out to the Muslims across the world on behalf of American government.

 

[A1Kaid]

Interesting development, hopefully this provides Kashmir the political leverage in the US to encourage the US to apply pressure and punish India for it's gross human rights violations.

If this woman proves to be intelligent and a genuine Muslim, she would serve the rightful interest of Muslims/Kashmiris. The Kashmiri people consider India it's enemy, there are many Anti-Indian protest and demonstrations, many currently active.

Hopefully, hopefully this will bring the US policymakers to the correct realization that Kashmiri liberation is an absolute priority.


Freedom for Kashmir.

 

[Tefal]

Farah Pandit is she hindu or muslim (Pundit)? anyhow hope she play positive role in soving kashmir issue....

 

[A1Kaid]

Farah Pandit is she hindu or muslim (Pundit)? anyhow hope she play positive role in soving kashmir issue....

A Kashmiri Muslim woman has been appointed by the administration of US President Barack Obama as a special representative for Muslim communities, in line with his policy to reach out to Muslims around the world. The appointment was made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, reports reaching Srinagar said on Friday, IRNA reported. The appointment follows the June 4 speech in Cairo by President Obama to Muslim world in which he sought “a new beginning“ between the United States and Muslims “based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and...based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition“.

Hope this answers your inquiry, I encourage you to read the article. Besides it makes no sense at all to have a Hindu women be your emissary to help build bridges between the US and Muslim communities.

 

[Tefal]

Hope this answers your inquiry, I encourage you to read the article. Besides it makes no sense at all to have a Hindu women be your emissary to help build bridges between the US and Muslim communities.

hi dont take to ur heart. i dont wanan hurt u. peace... Well never saw or heard muslim in the sirname of pundit......................

 

[qsaark]

It appears that her correct surname is PANDITH not PANDIT. Pandith is a Kashmiri clan (they may very well be converted Muslims).

Pandith clan feels exalted over Farah's achievement

Posted: Saturday , Jun 27, 2009 at 1715 hrs IST

Srinagar:

Pandith clan of Kashmir feels exalted following the appointment of Farah Pandith as US Special Representative to reach out to the Muslim world.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced appointment of Kashmiri-origin Pandith to the post for engaging the 1.5 billion Muslims across the globe.

Bhagaat-e-Barzallah, the house where Farah Pandith's parents used to live before they migrated to US in 1969, has attracted attention overnight as her relatives celebrated the success of their kin.

She is the first Kashmiri woman to have attained such a height, Maheen Pandith, cousin of Farah said on Saturday.

"We received this great news only yesterday. We all are very happy. We are really proud to have a sister like her," Maheen said. Describing Farah as a born leader, she said the entire clan is excited over her achievement.

Source: Pandith clan feels exalted over Farah's achievement

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

It appears that her correct surname is PANDITH not PANDIT. Pandith is a Kashmiri clan (they may very well be converted Muslims).

Aren't most people in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and India 'converted Muslims'?

 

[shravan]

Aren't most people in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and India 'converted Muslims'?

Muslim religion was born in Asia. Then it spread to Middle East...

 

[qsaark]

Aren't most people in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and India 'converted Muslims'?

I meant they may be Kashmiri hindu pandits who got converted to Muslims yet retained their cast or clan name. I was not expecting this kind of sarcasm from you on my post. How ill-informed you think I am?

 

[shravan]

It does not matter which religion she is from. End of the day she is working for America.
------
I think her son is in the Navy.

 

[qsaark]

It does not matter which religion she is from. End of the day she is working for America.
------
I think her son is in the Navy.

Very well said Sharvan. When she migrated to USA, she was a toddler, she grewup and got educated in the USA. She probably can’t even speak in Kashmiri language. She is an American and will work for the American interests and that absolutely is the bottom line. Muslim and Kashmiri is all icing, and pretty much misleading.

 

[rubyjackass]

Why are people getting BP here?
Is there any indication whether she is for or against India wrt Kashmir?

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I meant they may be Kashmiri hindu pandits who got converted to Muslims yet retained their cast or clan name. I was not expecting this kind of sarcasm from you on my post. How ill-informed you think I am?

It was an attempt at some humor (apparently poor), not sarcasm Qsaark sahib.

Apologies if it caused offense.

 

[qsaark]

It was an attempt at some humor (apparently poor), not sarcasm Qsaark sahib.

Apologies if it caused offense.

No apologies, even my wife complaints I have problem understanding humor.