The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is playing “what I consider to be a very constructive role,” said Sada Cumber, US Special Envoy to the OIC. He said OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has been very outspoken in condemning terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings, making it clear that Islam in no way permits the taking of innocent lives. “This public posture is an important step in helping to delegitimize terrorists,” he stressed. Cumber, who took over as US Special Envoy to the OIC in March, said the purpose of his appointment is to better understand the organization, its goals and perspectives, as well as how it works with member countries to address a wide range of issues. “My sincere hope is that in strengthening the US relationship with the OIC, we can find opportunities to advance shared goals, such as health, education, economic development, as well as dialogue and understanding between the United States and Muslim communities around the world,” he said. Cumber is an entrepreneur and investor based in Austin, Texas. He has vast experience in senior management, marketing and imaging technology, and has specialized in national and global strategy, strategic marketing, business planning and institution building. Born in Karachi, Pakistan, he holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and a master's degree in history both from the University of Karachi. Asked how he finds being in the midst of the “United Nations of the Muslim world,” he said, “Anytime you create an administrative entity of this kind, there will be challenges. Coming from the private sector as I did, the introduction to the State Department was quite a challenge. There is a process for everything, and sometimes the process can frankly be slow and somewhat tiresome. This is also true of the organization, as of any bureaucracy. However, I would say that in general I have been very impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the OIC Secretariat, starting with the Secretary General and including all the working level staff I have had the privilege of meeting,” he said. According to him, Muslim communities should look for opportunities to engage with the rest of the world, including the United States, to build relationships and create or expand linkages that will lead to lasting and fruitful contact. “We in the United States should be looking for the same things, and that is an important part of my role as special envoy,” he said.
