Obama calls for “new beginning” between U.S., Muslims

(AFP) Mr Obama called for mutual respect between the U.S. and Muslim world

Quoting verses from the Holy Qur’an, the U.S. President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims".

In a keynote speech in Cairo designed to improve U.S. relations with the Muslims following the September 11, 2001 attacks and the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama said the U.S. and the Islamic world could confront violent extremism across the globe.

"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, according to the BBC.

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.

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The American President said "violent extremists" had bred fear and that this "cycle of suspicion and discord must end".

He also admitted that “no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust" but urged both sides to "say openly the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors".

President Obama cited the Holy Qur’an as saying: "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth."

According to the BBC, President Obama wants to give a message of respect to a region which has often felt patronised by the U.S.

White House officials said the speech aimed at starting a process to "re-energise the dialogue with the Muslim world".

But they also said the speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East.

“America’s story”
President Obama said Islam had "always been a part of America's story", stressing that Islam has an important role in promoting peace.

"Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism — it is an important part of promoting peace," he said.

He added that much had been said about the fact an African-American named Barack Hussein Obama had become U.S. president, but stressed that 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 U.S. President also said perceptions of the U.S. in the Islamic world must change.

"Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."

Middle East issues
President Obama’s speech did not only discuss U.S.-Muslim relations. He also talked about the key issues in the Middle East.

On Iraq and Afghanistan, he stressed that the U.S. doesn’t want permanent bases in either country.

"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,” he said.

On the Israeli-Palestinian issue, President Obama said the U.S. bond with Israel was "unbreakable", yet issued a firm call to the Jewish state and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.

He said the "situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable".

"Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's.”

But he also said: "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong."

Regarding the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, President Obama said "there can be no progress towards peace without a halt to such construction", reiterating previous that Israel rejected.

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

On the Iranian nuclear program, President Obama said: "No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons" but said Tehran had the right to peaceful nuclear power.

However, he stressed that there should be no nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

On democracy, President Obama said that "America does not presume to know what is best for everyone".

"No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other."

The American President also touched on women's rights, saying: "Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons."

Mr Obama arrived in Egypt from a visit to Saudi Arabia.

His brief stay in Cairo included a visit to the Sultan Hassan mosque, a 600-year-old centre of Islamic worship and study. A tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza was also on his itinerary, AP reported.

Source: AJP