Assalaamu Alaykum!

6.4.2009

Assalaamu Alaykum!
President Obama in Cairo…

Today President Obama fulfilled his promise to deliver a speech in the Muslim world regarding US-Muslim relations. While I was unable to watch the speech live (610 AM EST is a little early for me) I did watch and read his remarks. 17 pages by my count, the speech was candid, honest and in my humble opinion very well done. The President mentioned the September 11th attacks three times and evoked the Koran five times in an effort to build a bridge between two very polarizing worlds. Seeking a “new beginning between the United States and Muslims,” President Obama first went back to the “very beginning” by mentioning the first encounter the United States had with the Muslim world in 1796. After all it was Morocco, a Muslim nation, that first recognized the United States. John Adams wrote then that “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility of Muslims” and today, two hundred and thirteen years later, President Obama delivered the same decree. All in all the speech focused on seven key points: Violent extremism, Israeli-Arab relations, nuclear proliferation, democracy in and of itself, religious freedom, women’s rights, and economic development and opportunity. I found the following quotes to be very powerful…

In referencing the September 11th Attacks and the deaths of innocents…

“These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.”

When discussing the difference in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq…

“Unlike Afghanistan (which was out of necessity) Iraq was a war of choice.”

In referencing the Holocaust and the state of Israel…

“Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful.”

When discussing nuclear non-proliferation and Iran…

“That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.”

When discussing women’s rights…

“I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.”

In referencing progress in the Arab world…

“I also know that human progress cannot be denied.”

In summation, I think Barack Obama’s address in the Arab world sent a powerful message that America’s philosophy has changed. However, we are far from living in a peaceful world with no fear of Islamic extremism toward the United States. After all, no matter how much our philosophy has changed---it will never change as much as some fundamentalists would like and because of such a Jihad continues.
Joe St. George