Obama appoints his envoy to OIC

Obama appoints his envoy to OIC Sultan Al-Tamimi I Arab News

JEDDAH: US President Barack Obama has appointed Rashad Hussain to serve as his special envoy to the Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). The OIC, which is made up of over 50 member states, is considered the second largest inter-governmental organization in the world. "As an accomplished lawyer and a close and trusted member of my White House staff, Rashad has played a key role in developing the partnerships I called for in Cairo," the president said when he made the announcement on Saturday. "As a hafiz of the Qur'an, he is a respected member of the American Muslim community, and I thank him for carrying forward this important work." The OIC issued a statement on Sunday saying the appointment "will facilitate coordination between the US authorities and the OIC General Secretariat, particularly to promote mutual understanding on issues of interest to the Muslim world." The OIC expressed optimism that the post would help develop ongoing cooperation in the field of health, "especially eradicating polio and malaria and advancing mother-child health care." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to formally introduce Hussain to OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu when she visits Jeddah on Monday. Hussain is currently deputy associate counsel to Obama. His work at the White House focuses on national security, new media and science and technology issues. Hussain has also worked with National Security Staff in pursuing the new beginning that Obama outlined in his June 2009 address in Cairo.