Farah Pandith, appointed in June 2009 as the first-ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, will be leaving her position to join the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.

Pandith always places people above politics, and she has performed groundbreaking work since her appointment, Secretary of State John Kerry said Jan. 23.

Her legacy “is an extraordinary record of thoughtfulness, balance, and sheer guts and determination. Anyone who’s worked with Farah will note her uncommon ability to bring people of different backgrounds together. I’ve seen that commitment firsthand in her pioneering work to reach out to countries with both Muslim majorities and minorities,” Kerry said in a statement.

Pandith will be joining the Institute of Politics as a Resident Fellow for the spring semester. As a Fellow, the Indian American will lead weekly study groups on a range of topics.

Kerry, in his statement, said of Pandith, “On so many issues, Farah Pandith has been a trailblazer and a visionary,” adding, “It’s in her DNA as a first-generation immigrant who achieved historic firsts for America, from changing the way our embassies engage with Muslim communities in Europe to getting a Quran placed in the White House Library.”

Pandith’s deputy, Adnan Kifayat, will serve as the acting special representative until a permanent replacement is named.

Pandith, originally from Srinagar, has a master’s degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Boston, Mass., and an A.B. from Smith College.

source: http://www.indiawest.com / India West / Home> News / by A Staff Reporter / Wednesday – January 22nd, 2014