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Obama Asks For A "New Beginning" With Muslim World
By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 4, 2009
Modified Jun 4, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jun 4, 2009
Modified Jun 4, 2009
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President Obama delivered a speech about the United States' relationship with the Muslim world from Cairo University in Egypt, telling a worldwide audience, "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; and 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**." Full text here and video after the jump, but here are some excerpts:
America is not and never will be at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire...
Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
The President also mentioned the U.S.'s "unbreakable bond" with Israel and denounced Holocaust denials but also said, "it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people -- Muslims and Christians -- have suffered in pursuit of a homeland... So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state of their own." He added, "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong."
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Obama also drew upon his roots and upbringing: "I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.”
The NY Times reports, "The president divided his speech into seven sections, often sounding like the university professor he was before he sought political office. He touched on 'sources of tension' from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, democracy, religious freedom, women’s rights and economic development and opportunity." The Washington Post found, "To strong applause from the audience, Obama quoted several times from the Koran, Islam's scripture, and noted that American founding father Thomas Jefferson kept a copy of the book in his personal library. 'As the Holy Koran tells us,' he said, 'Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.'"
The BBC has text of the speech, with analysis at different parts, as well as a roundup of reaction to the speech: While the Israeli government said, "The government of Israel expresses its hope that President Obama's important speech will indeed lead to a new era of reconciliation between the Arab and Muslim world and Israel," a Hamas spokesman said, "Speaking about a policy of pursuing a war against extremism and working towards two states for peoples on Palestinian lands is no different from the policy of his predecessor, George W Bush."
Tagged
barack obama
islam
middle east
muslim
president obama
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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