05 June 2009
Obama Says U.S. Seeks New Beginning with Muslims Worldwide
This beginning is based on mutual interest and respect, president says
Washington — “Assalaamu alaykum," said President Obama, beginning a speech in Cairo June 4 entitled “A New Beginning.” The widely anticipated speech was co-hosted by Cairo University and Al-Azhar University, and broadcast worldwide. The purpose of the speech was to turn a new page in relations between the United States and Muslims around the world, the president said.
Throughout his remarks, President Obama cited a respect for, as well as acknowledgment of, the importance of Islam. He cited his appreciation for the role that Islam has played in America’s history, dating back to Morocco’s place as the first country to recognize America after its war of independence. He quoted the second U.S. president, John Adams, who wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims."
One important theme mentioned throughout the speech was tolerance. Obama emphasized that “Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today.”
The president asserted that “America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam.” As he acknowledged the peaceful nature of Islam, he recalled: “The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism — it is an important part of promoting peace.” He also spoke about his commitment to “fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.” He added: “As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam that carried the light of Renaissance and Enlightenment.”
Obama described how Muslims are a part of a diverse America and the significant role that Muslim Americans have played in American life. “Since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library.”
The speech also addressed issues that have led to tension, such as extremism, the situation between Israelis and Palestinians and the Arab world, shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons, democracy, freedom of religion, women’s rights and economic opportunity.
Regarding extremism, Obama said: “So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.”
Obama expressed his view on Israel, Palestine and the Arab world, by saying, “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,” and he urged Arab nations to do more to achieve peace with Israel.
He was critical of Israel’s policy of settlement construction on Palestinian lands, parts of which the Palestinians envision as their future state. "At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.”
The president also touched on nuclear weapons and Iran. “For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.”
“I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”
DEMOCRACY PROMOTION
Obama said there has been controversy about the U.S. promotion of democracy, especially regarding U.S. efforts in Iraq. “No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other,” he said. But he also said: “That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people.”
Obama added that “freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together” and that “faith should bring us together.”
While Obama acknowledged that there is a healthy debate on women’s rights, he asserted, “It is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.” As the father of two daughters, he said, “I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity — men and women — to reach their full potential.”
President Obama said economic development must be based on education and innovation, the “currency of the 21st century,” and “we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.“
Obama concluded his speech by saying: "We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written. The Holy Koran tells us, ’O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.’
“The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.
“Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.”
The transcript of Obama’s remarks is available on America.gov.
