Bridging the Gap through Dialogue
Sabahat F Siddiqi

JEDDAH: FOUR American Muslim presenters had the opportunity to tell their personal stories and engage in dialogue at a roundtable conference at the US Consulate General on Monday afternoon.

The Citizenship Dialogue Program is a key part of the US Embassy’s Speaker Initiative which enables small and diverse groups of American Muslims to share their personal stories around the world. The program made it possible for the speakers to touch on a broad range of topics and reach the widest possible audience.

One of the presenters, Dr. Ghiyath Nakhshbendi, is the President and CEO of the Sangamore Group, which serves as a special representative for foreign investors seeking a cost effective and discreet means of managing corporate and personal business activities in the United States. He said, “I proudly tell people that I am a Muslim, born in Syria. I didn’t find any problems in saying that even after 9/11.”

He said speaking your mind is a true American custom.

“We are not directed by our government or any officials before speaking up about any issues,” Nakhshbendi said.

Saudi Gazette notes an American public diplomacy program being conducted in the KSA. This type of exchange program works in changing stereotypes and in deflating overblown media reports about how Muslims are treated in the US.