Huma Abedin

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Huma Abedin
Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin 1a.jpg
Abedin with Hillary Clinton during 2008 Presidential campaign
Born Huma Mahmood Abedin
(1976-07-28) July 28, 1976 (age 36)
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
Education George Washington University
Occupation Aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton
Religion Islam
Spouse(s) Anthony Weiner (2010–present; 1 child)
Parents Syed Zainul Abedin and Saleha Mahmood Abedin

Huma Mahmood Abedin (born July 28, 1976[1]) is currently a director working on the transition team[2] of former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.[3] She served as traveling chief of staff and "body woman" for Clinton during Clinton's campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 presidential election.[4][5]

Contents

Early years [edit]

Abedin was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. When she was two years old, her family moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Both her parents were educators. Her father, Syed Zainul Abedin, was born in India in 1928, was an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University, and later received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He died in 1993.[6] Her Pakistani mother, Saleha Mahmood Abedin, also received her Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently an associate professor of sociology at Dar Al-Hekma College in Jeddah.[3][7] Abedin returned to the United States to attend George Washington University.

Career [edit]

Abedin began working as an intern for the White House in 1996 and was assigned to Hillary Rodham Clinton. She currently works for Clinton in the State Department.[8] In 2010, Abedin was included in Time's "40 under 40",[9] a list of a "new generation of civic leaders" and "rising stars of American politics".[10] At a celebration before Abedin's wedding to Anthony Weiner, Clinton said in a speech, "I only have one daughter. But if I had a second daughter, it would [be] Huma."[11]

On June 13, 2012, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Congressman Trent Franks (R-Arizona), Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Florida), and Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (R-Georgia) sent a letter to the Deputy Inspector General of the Department of State, Harold W. Geisel, requesting an investigation into the influence of anyone associated with the Muslim Brotherhood on State Department policy, citing a study by the Center for Security Policy, a principal proponent of Muslim Brotherhood conspiracy theories, that said that Abedin "has three family members–her late father, her mother and her brother–connected to Muslim Brotherhood operatives and/or organizations".[12][13]

Republicans John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and Ed Rollins defended Abedin against these allegations.[14][15] John McCain stated, "These allegations about Huma and the report from which they are drawn are nothing less than an unwarranted and unfounded attack on an honorable woman, a dedicated American and a loyal public servant... The letter and the report offer not one instance of an action, a decision or a public position that Huma has taken while at the State Department that would lend credence to the charge that she is promoting anti-American activities within our government... These attacks on Huma have no logic, no basis and no merit. And they need to stop now."[15]

Speaker of the House John Boehner told reporters: "I don't know Huma. But from everything that I do know of her, she has a sterling character, and I think accusations like this being thrown around are pretty dangerous."[16] Abedin's family came under police protection when as a result of the controversy they were threatened by a New Jersey man.

Personal life [edit]

Abedin is a practicing Muslim.[17] She speaks English, Urdu, and Arabic.[18][19][20][21][22]

Abedin married then-Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) on July 10, 2010.[23] Former President Bill Clinton presided at the wedding, which took place at the Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York, on Long Island.[24]

In June 2011, Abedin became the subject of widespread media attention amid her husband's Twitter photo scandal. In the press conference where he admitted the online sexual conversations, Weiner said he had revealed his online relationships to his wife before their marriage. Regarding the new revelations, Weiner said, "She was very unhappy, she was very disappointed, and she told me as much. And she also told me that she loved me and we're going to get through this."[25]

She gave birth to a baby boy, Jordan Zain Weiner in December 2011.[26]

References [edit]

  1. ^ http://www.politico.com/blogs/click/0711/Happy_Birthday_Huma.html
  2. ^ Hernandez, Raymond (16 May 2013). [ "Weiner’s Wife Didn’t Disclose Consulting Work She Did While Serving in State Dept."]. The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved 2013-05-17. 
  3. ^ a b Morgan, Spencer (April 1, 2007). "Hillary's Mystery Woman: Who Is Huma?". The New York Observer. Retrieved July 12, 2007. 
  4. ^ Hillary’s Handler: Huma Abedin. Nirali Magazine. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  5. ^ Trebay, Guy (July 22, 2007). "Campaign Chic: Not Too Cool, Never Ever Hot". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 April 2012. 
  6. ^ "Hillary's mystery aide is of Indian descent". The Times of India. November 29, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  7. ^ Faculty and Administrators Directory, Official website
  8. ^ ""Clintonites jostle for jobs at State" – Politico". Politico.com. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  9. ^ Huma Abedin – Deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of State June 9, 2011. Time.com. October 14, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  10. ^ ''Time Specials'' – 40 Under 40 June 9, 2011. Time.com. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Huma Abedin, Weiner's unflappable wife, is Hillary Clinton's right-hand woman". Washington Post. June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2012. 
  12. ^ Bachmann: "Letter to the Deputy Inspector General," June 13, 2012, accesses July 20, 2012
  13. ^ Cordes, Nancy (19 July 2012). "Michele Bachmann refuses to back down on claims about Huma Abedin". CBS This Morning. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 
  14. ^ Rollins, Edward. "Bachmann's former campaign chief -- shame on you, Michele". FoxNews. Retrieved 24 July 2012. 
  15. ^ a b Terkel, Amanda. "John McCain Slams Michele Bachmann's 'Unfounded' Attacks On Huma Abedin, Muslim-Americans". Huffington Post. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 
  16. ^ O'Keefe, Ed (19 July 2012). "John Boehner: Accusations against Huma Abedin ‘pretty dangerous’". Washington Post. Retrieved 19 July 2012. 
  17. ^ Huma Abedin, Rep. Anthony Weiner’s unflappable wife Washington Post, 2011-06-07.
  18. ^ ABC News: "Anthony Weiner Says Wife Huma Abedin Will Stay, But Will She?" June 7, 2011
  19. ^ Ashley Parker (June 6, 2011). "Opposites in Many Ways, but Seemingly Melded Well". New York Times. Retrieved 10 April 2012. 
  20. ^ New York Metro: "Imam to Rep. Weiner’s wife: Stand by your man" June 7, 2011
  21. ^ CNN: "Huma Abedin is not a typical congressional wife" June 7, 2011
  22. ^ Al Jazeera: " Getting to the bottom of Weingergate" June 2, 2011
  23. ^ "Rep. Anthony Weiner engaged to Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin". The New York Daily News. July 11, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Bill Clinton To Officiate Wedding Of New York Congressman Anthony Weiner Longtime Hillary Aide Huma Abedin". The Huffingtonpost.com. July 9, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2011. 
  25. ^ Susan Page (June 6, 2011). "For Rep. Anthony Weiner, a dramatic fall via social media". USA Today. Retrieved June 7, 2011. 
  26. ^ Palmeri, Tara; Greene, Leonard (December 22, 2011). "Former Congressman Anthony Weiner's wife gives birth to baby boy". www.nypost.com. 

External links [edit]

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