Dalia Mogahed, a senior executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, was appointed to Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The selection by Mogahed is viewed by many Muslims in the US and many in the Middle East as a step by the Obama Administration to move beyond the stereotypes and prejudices that they believe have been cast upon Muslims since September 11, 2008. The move to appoint a hijab-wearing Muslim woman is also seen as step to improve relations with Islam, which many Muslims see has badly damaged during the Bush administration.
