Obama extends hand to Muslim world

President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama

"We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case."

CAIRO: In a widely-awaited speech in Cairo, US President Barack Hussein Obama on Thursday urged for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims".

"This cycle of suspicion and discord must end," Obama said in one of the world’s largest Muslim countries, adding that he has brought along "peace from American Muslims".

Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe.

The speech was the centrepiece of his journey, and while its tone was striking, the President also covered the Middle East peace process, Iran, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the violent struggle waged by al Qaeda.

In a bid to reframe ties with the Muslim world, deteriorated in the wake of September 11, 2001 attacks, Obama used Arabic greeting ’assalaamu alaykum’ to welcome audience present at Cairo university.

"I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect," Obama said, underlining that "violent extremists" had instilled fear.

Obama said Islam had an important role in promoting peace and tackling extremism.

In a gesture, Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension "has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations."

Obama said that his visit to the Egyptian capital was aimed at kick-starting a new beginning based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

Accepting that "no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust", the US President recalled that Islam and the West have cooperated for centuries and now also both the sides should "say openly the things we hold in our hearts".

"Be conscious of God and speak always the truth," Obama cited the Holy Quran as saying.

"That is what I will try to do today. I will speak the truth."

The US President further underlined that Islam had "always been a part of America’s story".

"Common human experience brings us together."

Touching his own Muslim roots, Obama said Muslims have made a great contribution to the United States, and "whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it."

He also said that much had been made of the fact that an African-American named Barack Hussein Obama had become President, but he asserted his personal story was "not so unique".

"The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims."

The US President added, "Innovation in Muslim communities has given lots."

I have known Islam on three continents, Obama said. "And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear," said the President, who recalled hearing prayer calls of "azaan" at dawn and dusk while living in Indonesia as a boy.

At the same time, he said the same principle must apply in reverse. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."

He further cleared that "words alone cannot meet the needs. They can be met only if we act."

"Our progress must be shared." Obama said, stressing that sources of tensions between Muslim world and the West should not be ignored. "Indeed, we must face these tensions with spirit," he said.

The first issue that needs to be confronted is violent extremism, the President said, clearing the US was never at war with Islam.

For more than seven years, the US pursued al Qaeda and Taliban because it was necessary, he said.

Al Qaeda killed 3,000 people, innocent men, women and children from the US and other countries, who did nothing. Al Qaeda brutally killed those people. They are still determined to kill on a massive scale. These are not opinions but facts. We don’t want to keep our troops, military bases in Afghanistan. But is agonising for the US to see its young men killed, Obama said.

He said, "We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case."

In a bid to stress his point, Obama quoted the Holy Quran as saying, "Whoever kills innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind. Whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind."

"Islam is not a part of problem, but an important part of promoting peace."

Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice, said Obama.

The US has now dual responsibility: to give Iraq a better future and to leave Iraq with Iraqis.

We do not want any bases, any territory, as it is Iraq’s sovereignty. That is why, all US troops will leave Iraq by 2012 after helping Iraq train its security forces.

US can never tolerate violence, Obama said.

The enormous trauma in the wake of September 11 is understandable. The US acted contrary to our principles.

"I have now ordered the closure of Guantanamo Bay."

Obama’s speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East, and he issued an even-handed call to Israel and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.

He cleared that there was no justification for Holocaust denial.

"If we see this conflict from one side or the other, we will be blind to the truth."

"Hamas must put an end to violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel’s right to exist," he said of the organisation the United States deems as terrorists.

"The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people," Obama said.

"At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements" on the West Bank and outskirts of Jerusalem, he said. "It is time for these settlements to stop."

As for Jerusalem itself, he said it should be a "secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims."

Obama also said the Arab nations should no longer use the conflict with Israel to distract its own people from other problems.

"All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when mothers of Israel and Palestine see their children grow up without fear."

Nuclear weapons was another source of tension. On the Iranian nuclear issue, the President said, "No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons". However, he added all the countries, including Iran, should have the right to peaceful nuclear power.

He later said that there should be no nuclear arms race in the Middle East, adding he seeks a world in which no nation holds nuclear arms.

The US President stressed on the issue of the spread of democracy.

Obama said he has a commitment to governments "that reflect the will of the people." And yet, he said, "No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other."

"Suppressing ideas don’t make them go away."

He also stressed at respecting tights of minorities in every country and urged for placing interest of people above party.

"Power must be retained through consent."

As a child in Indonesia, I saw Christians praying freely in the Muslim dominated country, Obama recalled, adding that this was required today.

"Islam has proud history of tolerance," he said, adding its being challenged in many different ways.

"Tolerance is essential for religion to thrive."

"The differences between Sunni and Shi’ites led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq. Richness of religious diversity must be upheld."

"Faith should bring us together."

He further cleared, "Liberalism is no excuse for religious tolerance".

The President touched on women’s rights, saying, "Woman who is denied education is denied equality."

Giving the examples of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Obama said that women have led countries with Muslim majorities.

"Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons."

"I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles, but it should be their own choice."

Finally, he underlined that education and innovation will be the currency of 21st century. He said the US seeks broader engagement with other countries in the form of exchange programmes, scholarships, internships. He also stressed that the US needs to have economic link with Muslim countries.

"It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us."

He further urged the young people of all the faiths to re-imagine the whole world, saying that the world "we want can be achieved together".

The Holy Quran tells you: "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 Talmud tells us, "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

May God’s peace be upon you, Obama said while finishing his speech.