Arsalan Suleman

Photo of Arsalan Suleman
Acting U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
Term of Appointment: 02/13/2015 to present

Arsalan Suleman is the Acting U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He engages with the OIC, OIC member countries, and relevant civil society on key foreign policy issues and works to deepen and expand partnerships in areas of mutual interest, such as human rights, countering violent extremism, health, education, entrepreneurship, and science and technology. Suleman previously served for four years as Counselor for Multilateral Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). There, he focused globally on human rights policy related to Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion, and regionally on the Middle East, North Africa, and South and Central Asia. Suleman also previously served for over four years as Deputy Special Envoy to the OIC.

Suleman graduated from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service as an International Security Studies major with a Certificate in Muslim-Christian Understanding. As a George Mitchell Scholar, he earned a Master's degree in International Peace Studies from Trinity College, Dublin. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he published several articles on national security and the law and was a Fellow with the Harvard Negotiation Research Project. After law school, Suleman clerked for Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and worked as a litigation associate at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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