The Ministry of State selected a person to be responsible for the implementation of President Barack Obama's strategy to communicate with Muslims around the world. The event has not been officially announced. The disclosure of the selection of Farah Bandith to become "the Special Representative of the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Muslim communities" came in an internal memo to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Ian Kelly, spokesman for the ministry, confirmed the appointment of Bandith after the press reported it.
Kelly pointed out that Bandith worked with him in Europe as the responsible official for Muslim relations there, and that her efficiency is what was behind the Secretary of State's choice. In response to a question about why there has been no formal declaration on the appointment, Kelly said the decision was announced via the internet in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and promised to issue a statement on the subject. Obama has made the improvement of relations with Muslims around the world and the United States a key issue on the agenda of his presidency. Kelly said that he could not say whether Bandith was Muslim while two American officials have privately indicated that they believe she is a Muslim.
