Politics > U.S. official decries anti-Muslim hatred

She also said her new post as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs would cover efforts to respond to civil liberty concerns within the United States from Muslims whose lives and travel have been disrupted in the name of national security.

Hughes made the comments at the annual meeting of the Islamic Society of North America, one of the largest gatherings of its type in the United States attended by up to 40,000 Muslims.

"We want to be a welcoming country," she told reporters after private meetings with delegates and Islamic leaders.

"We have a common interest in confronting terror and violence and crime and hate that is committed in the name of any religion," she said.

Hughes, who has been one of Bush's closest communications advisers, praised the group for issuing a new pamphlet that takes a strong stand against violence and religious extremism.

It also urges people of all faiths to speak out against the "backlash and widespread denomination of Islam and Muslims" that followed such incidents as the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and the London bombings this summer, acts blamed on Islamic extremists.

"What I also heard is that ... as we want Muslim voices to speak out against terror and violence and extremism, it is equally important that we be mindful of speaking out against all voices of hate and incitement including those raised against Muslims themselves," she said.

The group had urged President George W. Bush to appear before the convention in person, but leaders said Hughes had made a good impression.

2005-09-03