By TCN News,
Chennai: The U.S. Ambassador to India Ms. Nancy Powell called on the Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, at his ancestral home ‘Amir Mahal’, during her brief visit to the Chennai on Wednesday. The U.S. Consul General Ms. Jennifer McIntyre and Mr. Matthew Beh, Political and Economic Officer, U.S. Consulate General accompanied the Ambassador.
Present on the occasion were selected intellectuals and scholars from the Muslim community including Chief Khazi to Government of Tamil Nadu, Mufti Salauddin Mohammed Ayub, Mr. U. Mohammed Khalilullah, Mr. Munir Hoda, former Home Secretary, Mr. T. Rafeeq Ahmed, Mr. Imbich Ahmed, Dr. G. M. Yahya and Mr. A. Faizur Rahman, Secretary General, Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought, who interacted with the Ambassador on issues related to U.S. and the Muslim world.
Among other things, the trust deficit that exists between the Muslims and the American establishment were discussed. The Muslim community’s concern over the continuing U.S. support for Israel despite its violent occupation of Palestine was also expressed. The “U.S. establishment” was urged to maintain a distinction between the peace loving moderate Muslim majority and violent extremists in their war against terror.
The Prince of Arcot, on his part prevailed upon the U.S. Ambassador to convey the feelings of the Muslims to U.S. President, Mr. Obama and urge him to re-orient his policies in such a manner as to bring about an improvement in the U.S.-Muslim relationship.