The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Washington

The United States is seeking to dispel Muslim misperceptions about it by sending its first envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Monday.

Sada Cumber, a Pakistani-born businessman from Texas, was named by President George W. Bush last week as special envoy to the 57-member OIC to promote understanding and dialogue with Muslim countries.

"This is the first time that a US president has made such an appointment to the OIC," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told ambassadors of OIC countries during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC.

"This appointment is one part of a much larger effort that our government has undertaken to increase our engagement with the Muslim community worldwide," Rice said.

The appointment will also help expand US cooperation with Muslim communities worldwide and "promote the principles that we hold dear" like human rights, social justice, equal opportunity, liberty and the rule of law, she said.