Syed Amir notes some points of interest: for instance, that Abedin expresses a special affection for Pakistan, where most of her relatives live
By Syed Amir
(THE FRIDAY TIMES) Huma Abedin, a top aide to Hilary Clinton, relates the story, in her newly published memoir (Both/And; published by Simon and Schuster) of Clinton’s visit to Pakistan when she was the US Secretary of State (2009-2013) under President Barack Obama. The entire US delegation accompanying the secretary was invited to a state dinner at the presidential palace in Islamabad. While introducing Abedin to President Asif Ali Zardari, Clinton mentioned that Huma was recently engaged to marry. Zardari unknowingly quipped, “I hope to a nice Pakistani boy.” There was a brief moment of unease, as Abedin was in fact engaged to New York’s Jewish Congressman, Anthony Weiner.
Abedin is the daughter of an Indian Muslim Syed Zainul Abedin and Pakistani mother Saleha Mahmoud, both scholars. Mr. Abedin was an eminent Islamic and Middle Eastern scholar, who was educated at the famous Aligarh Muslim University and excelled in the equestrian team. Later, he obtained his Ph. D. at the University of Pennsylvania in the US. He spent some time teaching in Saudi Arabia and founded the Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs with offices in Saudi Arabia and London.
