04 June 2009

Obama Calls for a New Beginning with Muslims Around the World

President Obama speaks at Cairo University June 4.

By Merle David Kellerhals, Jr.
Staff Writer

Washington — Saying he came to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, President Obama told an audience in Cairo June 4 that the cycle of suspicion and discord that has defined the relationship for so long must end.

Obama said he seeks a new start that is based on mutual interest and mutual respect — “one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles, principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”

“There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground,” Obama said. “So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity.  This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.”

The widely anticipated speech, which was expected to be closely followed by the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims, was held at Cairo University and co-hosted by Al-Azhar University. It was the second day of a five-day trip taking the president to the Middle East and Europe. He met with Saudi King Abdullah June 3 in Riyadh before traveling on to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. (See “Obama Opens Talks with Saudi King Abdullah.”)

White House officials said this trip is an opportunity to continue the president’s outreach both in the Middle East and in Europe, and it follows on visits to Washington on May 18 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on May 28 on how to resume the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

OBAMA ADDRESSES RANGE OF ISSUES

Obama said that problems the United States and Muslims worldwide confront must be dealt with through partnership and progress, and must be shared. Sources of tension, the president said, must be addressed directly.

The themes Obama addressed in his far-ranging speech began with violent extremism, the threat it poses and what the United States has done in response; the conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan; Iraq; the Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and the broader issues of democracy and human rights. “Let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together,” the president said.

Obama said the United States will confront violent extremists who pose a threat to U.S. national security “because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women and children.” He said that the current situation in Afghanistan demonstrates U.S. goals and the need to work together to end the violence against innocent men, women and children.

The victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States had nothing to do with the political grievances or ideology of al-Qaida, he said. “And yet al-Qaida chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill again on a massive scale,” the president said.

“None of us should tolerate these extremists.”

The president also acknowledged that military power alone will not solve problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is why the United States is investing billions of dollars each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build hospitals, schools, roads and businesses, and help those who have been displaced by a militant insurgency. And it is why the United States leads a coalition of nations in Afghanistan to help build the elements of a nation and bring stability and peace to the Afghan people.

A second source of tension the United States and Muslims must confront is the current stalemate between the Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. Talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators stalled in 2008, and the Obama administration has been working to get them restarted.

“The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security,” Obama said. “I will personally pursue this outcome. For peace to come, it is time for them — and all of us — to live up to our responsibilities.”

For many years, Obama said, the United States and others in Europe and the Middle East have been working to encourage Iran to halt its nuclear weapons development program. But he said a decisive point has been reached and it is in no one’s interest for a devastating nuclear arms race to develop that could lead the Middle East “down a hugely dangerous path.”

While it will be difficult to overcome decades of mistrust, the United States, others and Iran must proceed with resolve to end this crisis, Obama said.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The president said that, while no form of government should be imposed on any nation by another, he believes strongly in a system of government that gives voice to the people, and that respects the rule of law and the rights of all.

“Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure,” he said. “Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.”

In supporting the role of democracy, Obama also called for greater religious freedom as necessary for peoples of the world to be able to live together.

Obama also encouraged the growth of rights for women, saying that “a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

The president concludes his trip with a stop in Germany June 5 and France on June 6.

The transcript of Obama’s remarks is available on America.gov.

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