Valerie Jarrett

Valerie Jarrett was the keynote speaker at the inaugural session of the 46th Annual Convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on Friday, July 3rd. Ms. Jarrett, who serves as a Senior Advisor and Assistant to President Obama for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, was introduced to the Convention’s participants by ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson.

Pastor Rick Warren, of The Saddleback Church, was the keynote speaker at the main session on Saturday, July 4th. With the convention theme being "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," it was only fitting that Pastor Warren speak about religious freedom and understanding. "Tolerance isn't enough. Nobody wants to be to be tolerated."

Valerie Jarrett, a longtime friend and ally of Barack Obama’s who now works alongside him in The White House. Her role, classified a senior adviser and assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement, is better stated as “Obama’s intermediary to the outside world.”