M. Osman Siddique

"[2] Siddique is the son of the late Dr. Muhammad Osman Ghani, a former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, former Pakistan's Ambassador, and former Member of the Bangladesh Parliament.

Following his swearing-in ceremony, Siddique said he believed he was the first American ambassador of the Islamic faith to take the oath of office with his hand on the Holy Qur'an.

"[6] Siddique was the American Ambassador during the 2000 Fijian coup d'état; he was interviewed by Chris Masters of the Australian Broadcasting Company's Four Corners about the situation.

"[7] Siddique announced the economic implications of the coup, saying that "Investment in Fiji will not take place unless democracy is re-established in the country.

Explaining why they pulled the ambassador the State Department announced that the US deplores "both hostage taking and efforts to deny political rights to citizens of Fiji.

...[protested] the appointment of an unelected government by the military, even if composed of civilians...[and noted] the absence of any Indo-Fijians or women in the interim administration".

Lablu Ansar, writing for the Weekly Thikana, wrote that at these events Siddique "vehemently criticized the continuous repression of the Muslim community and stated that true believers of Islam wouldn't engage in terrorism.

Siddique told the group that the Democratic Party was a true friend of the Asian community and that he [being made an ambassador] was an example of that friendship".