The Department of State’s Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith arrived in Jordan today on a four-day visit to meet with youth, religious organizations, civil society organizations and women. During the visit she will give an overview of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision for engagement with Muslim communities worldwide and create linkages between Jordanians and Americans seeking to make positive change in their communities.

As part of her meetings, she will introduce the “2011 Hours Against Hate Campaign”, which encourages young people around the world to build stronger communities that value pluralism and diversity and reject hate and bigotry.

Pandith will meet with youth NGOs and entrepreneurs at the National Library in Amman and the Hayat Center for Civil Society Development in Karak to discuss their activities and learn about the opportunities and challenges facing them in Jordan.

Special Representative Pandith will also hold meetings with female preachers (Waethat) and members of the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies to promote religious tolerance and dialogue.

While in Jordan, Pandith will also travel to Zarqa to meet with the Family Guidance and Awareness Center and to the Fatima Al Zahra’ Association for Women and Bsaira Youth Center in Tafileh.

Farah Pandith was appointed Special Representative to Muslim Communities in June 2009 and has traveled to more than 25 countries to support and explain Secretary Clinton’s vision of engagement with the Muslim world.