My position attracts a fair amount of rumors and gossip and misperceptions, but I'd rather not focus on that.

Of course, I tweet. Tweeting is a very personal form of expression. Who else could talk about my son refusing to wear a suit to meet the Pope, my husband flying a helicopter, or take a twitpic from our home?

Extremism is not endemic in my region, nor is anti-Western sentiment. No doubt there is discontent and distrust. That is towards more the American and some Western policies, and not toward the American people.

Religion and modernity are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

I work in areas related to child protection and family safety, women's empowerment, the creation of opportunities for youth, and culture and tourism. Daunting? Yes. Impossible? No. In fact, such challenges energize me.

My role models are people who can do things; I say to myself, 'I wish I could do that.'

I don't believe there is a clash between cultures. I believe there is a clash between perceptions of each other.