In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful CAIR Council on American-Islamic Relations 1050 17th Street, N.W., Suite 490 Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: 202-659-CAIR (2247) Fax: 202-659-2254 Page: 202-490-5653 E-mail: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.cair-net.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STATE DEPARTMENT CALLS ON AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO SEEK POLICY POSITIONS Muslim leaders meet with Secretary of State to discuss international events (WASHINGTON, DC - 9/16/99) - State Department officials today asked American Muslims to apply for positions at all levels of government service. The request came during meetings between department officials, including Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, and a number of American Muslim and Arab-American leaders and scholars. Secretary Albright briefed the Muslim and Arab-American representatives on her recent trip to the Middle East. The discussion also focussed on topics such as human and religious rights violations in Turkey and Kashmir, the American Muslim community's role in formulating foreign policy and the need for Muslims in policy-making positions in the government. Assistant Secretary of State Martin Indyk also took part in the discussions. The secretary acknowledged the growth of the Muslim community in America and said officials need to understand Islam as they consider policy issues. Muslim groups in attendance at today's meeting included the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), American Muslim Council (AMC), American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ), American Muslim Foundation (AMF). "The administration clearly expressed its interest in seeking input from our community on issues of importance to all Americans," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. Awad added that this input can best be offered by having more Muslims working in the government. "We appreciate this type of frank and constructive discussion," said ISNA Secretary General Sayyid Syeed who also attended the meeting. "American Muslims have a significant role to play in making sure that foreign policy is based on accurate and objective information that reflects more than one side of each issue," said Syeed. There are an estimated six million Muslims in this country and some 1.2 billion worldwide. Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in America. INFORMATION ON POSITIONS IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT U.S. State Department Home Page http://www.state.gov/ Foreign Service Employment Hotline - 703-875-7490 State Department Careers http://www.state.gov/www/careers/index.html Foreign Service Exam Index http://www.state.gov/www/careers/rexamcontents.html TEL: (319) 341-2500 REGISTRATION DEADLINE - October 8, 1999 Test Date - November 6, 1999 Foreign Service Specialist Overview http://www.state.gov/www/careers/rfsspecover.html 24-hour Civil Service Job Vacancy Line: (202) 647-7284 Student Programs Index http://www.state.gov/www/careers/rstudprogindex.html Internships Index http://www.state.gov/www/careers/rinterncontents.html SUMMER INTERNSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE - November 1 ----- >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------