ISCA Attends Georgetown Forum with Afghan Leader Hamid Karzai

On January 27 2002, Islamic Supreme Council of America attended a dynamic forum at Georgetown University which featured the head of Afghanistan's interim government, Hamid Karzai. The Afghan leader addressed an enthusiastic assembly of more than 2500, and narrated his plans to implement sweeping changes and fresh starts in Afghanistan.

The charismatic leader spoke at length in Dari, Pashto and English, and
received numerous ovations as he outlined plans to bring voting rights,
equality, economic development and educational opportunities to the
war-torn country. President Karzai also commented on his meetings with hundreds of Afghans he has met in his homeland. "All of them had only one message: centralized government, independence and unity."

Karzai promised Afghanistan would wisely apply the $4.5 billion in foreign aid pledged by several countries. He also addressed the issue of widespread corruption, warlords, and tribal feuds. He said increased national security will pave the way for foreign investment and economic development, and he was optimistic that expatriate Afghans will be the first to contribute to the rebuilding of Afghanistan in a number of ways. To this he added, "We welcome you."

His four-day trip, which also included meetings with President Bush and a tour of Ground Zero in Manhattan, marked the first time an Afghan leader has visited the U.S. since 1963.

More information on this event is available at: The Georgetown Blue & Gray Publication