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| US President calls for ŽŽnew beginningŽŽ in historic address to Muslims | ||
| 2009-06-05 | ||
[Maghrebia] In a historic speech delivered at Cairo University on Thursday (June 4th), US President Barack Obama addressed the sources of tension between the US and the Islamic world, affirming that "America is not at war with Islam"
Obama highlighted the achievements of Islamic culture in math and science, as well as Muslims' contributions to American culture and society. He noted that the first nation to recognise the United States was Morocco, a Muslim nation. He said that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't, adding that, "just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire." Obama said that his country is not at war with Islam but will "relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to [US] security." The American president said that violent extremists have exploited tensions between the US and Muslims -- tensions that he said were fed by colonialism, the Cold War and the "sweeping change" brought by modernity and globalisation. He said their actions are "irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Qur'an 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 acknowledged that the fear and anger that the September 11th attacks provoked in the US led to actions contrary to American ideals. "We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. " The president drew applause after greeting the audience in Arabic and quoting from the Holy Qur'an four times. The speech was broadcast live on television and streamed live on the internet and on Facebook, where many in the US and the Muslim world exchanged comments as it unfolded. Many hailed the speech as "historic" and called for continued dialogue between America and the Muslim world. The president addressed several issues that he said are sources of tension when it comes to how Muslims view the United States, including Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict. He said the war in Iraq "reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible," vowing to "support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron." Obama also spoke of the suffering endured by both Palestinians and Israelis, "two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive." He said 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. He called on Palestinians to abandon violence and on Israelis to take concrete steps to enable progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people. "All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims." On the issue of nuclear proliferation, Obama reaffirmed America's commitment to "seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons". The president also addressed the issues of democracy, religious freedom, and women's rights. He said that while "no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other", governments that support universal ideas such as the rule of law, transparency and personal freedoms are "ultimately more stable, successful and secure". He criticised those who "advocate for democracy only when they are out of power", noting that "elections alone do not make true democracy". Addressing a mixed audience of young Egyptian men and women from various political and religious beliefs, Obama called for upholding religious diversity and reviving the spirit of tolerance that existed in Andalusia and in countries like Indonesia, where he said he saw Christians worshipping freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. He also called on Western countries to "avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit." Obama rejected the view of some in the West that women who choose to wear the hijab are less equal. "But I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality," he said, adding his belief that "Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons". The US president noted that his country supports several literacy and entrepreneurial programs for Muslim women. On economic development, Obama said that no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground -- in reference to oil -- nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. He called on all to "recognise that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas." The US president said his country is now seeking broader engagement with the Muslim world by expanding student exchange programmes, and creating business partnerships with Muslim-majority countries. A new fund will support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. "The US will also open centres of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops." "I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge this new beginning," Obama told the crowd. "Many more are simply sceptical that real change can occur... But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country -- you, more than anyone, have the ability to re-imagine the world, to remake this world." | ||
| Posted by: |
| #19 Obama's lack of historical knowledge and failure to research properly before speaking is astounding for a US president--Bush would have been publicly flogged by the press for such statements. The Arabs refused the original Palestinian homeland offered in 1948, and Transjordan created for them. They refuse to acknowledge Israel's right to exist and he has the gall to tell them where they should live in their own sovereign country! This looks like the beginning of the end of freedom, with Obama bowing to Islamic fascism first. |
| Posted by: Lumpy Elmoluck5091 2009-06-05 12:46 |
| #18 Lord Garth ... 'what was new': He also called on Western countries to "avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit." Stoning of women and legalized pedophilia coming to a city near you. |
| Posted by: Zorba 2009-06-05 11:34 |
| #17 Dear President, the "Rantburg" is one such place. Please look at all the posts since this website was established in 2004 or so. You will see tons of religious discrimination against Muslims. Infact, just look at this thread! I realize the muzzie shithole you hail from has no Second Amendment right to free speech, but feel knock yourself out by pointing to one discriminatory comment. Or, just continue to whine and seethe ... something you people are good at. BTW ... what's a 'fascit'? LOL. |
| Posted by: Zorba 2009-06-05 11:31 |
| #16 there wasn't much 'new' in this beginning -the same pretense of former Islamic greatness -the same foolish lying about what the Koran means - the same sucking up to the "muslim street" - same overemphasis of the Israeli settlements what was new - vast expansion of moral equivalency - pretense that Gitmo is somehow bad (given that it is certainly a picnic compared to just about any prison is Islamdom |
| Posted by: Lord garth 2009-06-05 10:58 |
| #15 Except, Depot. I don't think Obama wants to replace Saddam as much as replicate him (or at least his fascist policies). And Iraq is an instance where Diplomacy failed - miserably. The Iraqi people were suffering as a result of that failure - as well as the U.N.s determination that personal gain is far more important than alieveating the suffering of the Iraqi People - Remember the Oil-For-Palaces program? 12 or so years of 'Diplomacy' failed in Iraq and we had to resort the the ultimate 'diplomatic' tool - military power. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-06-05 10:39 |
| #14 "And most importantly it would have been a subtle reminder to the US troops that their effort wasn't in vain." Whyever would you think Bambi would want to do that, DepotGuy? :-( |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2009-06-05 10:39 |
| #13 He said the war in Iraq "reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible." IMO, President Obama missed a colossal opportunity when speaking of Iraq. By use of his eloquent prose he could have stated, regardless of method, that we are all better off without Sadaam Hussein and his two sociopath sons in dictatorial power. That is clearly something the West and most Muslims have in common. Perhaps, he could have even acknowledged that the war resulted in millions of Muslims now having an opportunity to embrace Democracy for the first time. It would have been a chance to express how America, on several occasions, has gone to the mat on behalf of Muslims. At least, it would have balanced the ironic fact that he was making his speech from MubarekÂ’s Egypt. And most importantly it would have been a subtle reminder to the US troops that their effort wasnÂ’t in vain. |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2009-06-05 10:22 |
| #12 I have to agree w/ Barry. It's time to get out of the middle east and return Mecca to it's rightful owners, the Shia. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-06-05 09:35 |
| #11 Hello losers (remember Mcain?). There were some parts of the speech that were correct others were not. The correct parts were: "It is part of my responsibilty as President of the USA to fight negative stereotypes of Muslims whereever they may take place in America." Dear President, the "Rantburg" is one such place. Please look at all the posts since this website was established in 2004 or so. You will see tons of religious discrimination against Muslims. Infact, just look at this thread! Please arrest Frank, Steve, Railing Wife (aka Smelly and others.) The evidence is all here. Trace these people to their homes in the States and arrest them and put them in concentration camps built for fascit cum zionist terrorists. Other good parts were ,"The US government will go to court to fight for the rights of Muslim women to wear the hijab." Another good part was "Its easy to point fingures...at the attacks on Israel by the Palestinians." The bad parts were 1. Your recognition of the state of Israel which goes against the bible. The bible calls these people "cursed" like the Quran does-forever displaced. 2. Using the phrase "Israeli civilian." No such noun phrase exists in the English language. All in all, a positive speech which recognizes that Muslims are a people who love peace and coexistance. Good but can improve. Thanks for coming though. May God guide you to Islam. |
| Posted by: Yes Justice Yes 2009-06-05 09:26 |
| #10 "..tensions that he said were fed by colonialism,..." Ignoring that one of the major excuses for the European rush for African colonies in the 19th Century was to end the Arab/Muslim Sub-Saharan slave trade. Don't let real history get in your way. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-06-05 09:25 |
| #9 tensions that he said were fed by colonialism,..." "Colonialism" nearly cured in Zimbabwe and much of Africa. Things on the mend there now? |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2009-06-05 08:52 |
| #8 "The American president said that violent extremists have exploited tensions between the US and Muslims -- tensions that he said were fed by colonialism,..." So now he's apologizing for France and Britain??? "...the Cold War and the "sweeping change" brought by modernity and globalisation." Yes, they want to stay stuck in the 7th century ... or else!! POS turns my stomach. |
| Posted by: Zorba 2009-06-05 08:48 |
| #7 Don't listen to what 0bama says, watch what he does. He consistently say one thing then does another. The words coming out of his mouth mean nothing, he's a Chicago politician. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2009-06-05 08:24 |
| #6 Just another Campaign Speech to me. The US president said his country is now seeking broader engagement with the Muslim world by expanding student exchange programmes, and creating business partnerships with Muslim-majority countries. So he's going to fire up the old Visa Exprss program which worked so well in the past? |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2009-06-05 08:19 |
| #5 no mo, the speech wasn't aimed at intelligent listeners. It was aimed at Muslims. |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2009-06-05 07:20 |
| #4 His speech contained tons of factual errors, and threw Israel and ME Christian groups like the Copts under the bus, and in essence gave Islamic Fascist terrorists encouragement to detonate a nuke on U.S. soil. The wrong move to any intelligent listener. |
| Posted by: no mo uro 2009-06-05 05:53 |
| #3 My idea of a new beginning features obambi and all his cohort locked up at Gitmo... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2009-06-05 03:19 |
| #2 "Obama highlighted the achievements of Islamic culture in math and science, as well as Muslims' contributions to American culture and society. He noted that the first nation to recognise the United States was Morocco, a Muslim nation." To the shores of Tripoli....actually, all of BO's historic references were wrong, inacurate platitudes. |
| Posted by: Muggsy Glink 2009-06-05 00:39 |
| #1 the right move. |
| Posted by: bgrebel 2009-06-05 00:09 |