Pandith will play a leading role in engaging Muslims: Clinton

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said Farah Pandith would play a "leading role" in engaging Muslims across the world in her new capacity as Special Representative to Muslim Communities.

Pandith, a Kashmiri-origin Muslim woman, was appointed early this week by Clinton as the US Special Representative to Muslim Communities. This is part of the Obama Administration's effort to reach out to the Muslim communities across the world.

"I am pleased to announce the appointment of Farah Pandith to serve as Special Representative to Muslim Communities," Clinton said in a statement, making a formal announcement in this regard.

"Farah brings years of experience to the job and she will play a leading role in our efforts to engage Muslims around the world," she said.

The State Department said Clinton has asked Pandith to head the new Office of the US Special Representative to Muslim Communities. Special Representative Farah Pandith and her staff will be responsible for executing the Administration's efforts to engage with Muslims around the world on a people-to-people and organisational level, it said.