Sada Cumber

Sada Cumber or Sada Kunbhar (Sindhi: صدا ڪنڀر) is a Pakistani–American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and diplomat. He is an expert on US foreign policy and national security issues. In 2008, President George W. Bush named him the first U.S. special Envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, while combating intolerance, extremism and the conditions which create it.

Early history

Cumber was born in Karachi, Dominion of Pakistan in 1951 to a Sindhi family. He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and a master's degree in history, both from the University of Karachi.

Cumber came to the United States in 1978 with his wife, Mumtaz, and has been an American citizen since 1986.

Business and entrepreneurship

Cumber is an entrepreneur and investor. His business background is in senior management, marketing, and imaging technology. As an entrepreneur, Cumber specializes in national and global network strategy, strategic marketing, business planning and institution building.

After briefly residing in New York City, Cumber moved to Miami where he operated a sundries store, a custom mailbox business, and worked nights as a photographer.

Diplomatic service

In 2005 Cumber made his first foray into the diplomatic world as honorary Consul General for the Republic of Malta. the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world His responsibilities included improving the dialogue between the United States and the world's 1.6 billion Muslims and enhancing the perception of the United States in the Muslim world. ., Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the position. thumb President George W. Bush meets with Sada Cumber, the First U.S. envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference Wednesday, February 27, 2008, in the Oval Office.

Cumber has also served on a diverse range of boards, civic/community organizations, advisory councils, and foundations.

Governor of Texas: Appointee on Texas Economic Development Board ($300 Million fund). Governor of Texas: Appointee on Texas Emerging Technology Fund ($200 Million fund). Governor of Texas: Member Texas Business Council Governor of Texas: Task Force on Higher Education Chairman – Texas 5-Year Strategic Plan for International Business University Of Texas, Chancellor's Advisory Council: Institute for Public Schools Initiatives Board and executive committee: WCIT/2006 – World Congress on Information Technology Member, Steering Committee: United Nations 60th Anniversary – Austin, Texas University of Texas, College of Fine Arts: Advisory Council The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)–Advisory board member Houston chapter President, His Highness the Aga Khan Council for Southwest USA (two terms)

Writing

In an editorial in The Hill, Cumber argued for the importance of foreign aid in advancing US interests while also suggesting that the Trump Administration's proposed budget cuts could be an opportunity to make needed reforms in the US foreign aid system. Though a Republican, Cumber argued in an op-ed for the Austin American-Statesman that President Trump had undermined American values and eroded confidence in the political process, and said it was time to place the presidency above the president.

Sufism

Cumber attributes his success as a businessman and diplomat to his grounding in Sufism, a mystical form of Islam emphasizing mindfulness of God above ritual and which he credits for giving him a spiritual direction emphasizing peace, tolerance, and pluralism. Cumber was first exposed to Sufi philosophy as a boy in Karachi through listening to Ginans and Qawwali music.