[Reader-list] Obama's in Cairo

[Monica Narula]

Despite the president's soaring speech on partnering with the world,  
one foreign-policy expert sees globalization splintering the Arab  
Islamic world — to the tune of an Israeli air strike, Saudi-Iranian  
proxy wars, more nuclear weapons, and Obama's tough re-election battle  
in 2012.

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/war-room/obama-cairo-speech-060409

Monica Narula
Raqs Media Collective
Sarai-CSDS
www.raqsmediacollective.net
www.sarai.net



On 04-Jun-09, at 8:02 PM, faiz ullah wrote:

> From The US Consulate..
>
>
>
> 009
>
> *REMARKS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA*
>
> *A New Beginning*
>
> *Cairo**, Egypt*
>
> *June 4, 2009*
>
> I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted  
> by two
> remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has  
> stood as a
> beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University  
> has
> been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the  
> harmony
> between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality,  
> and the
> hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me  
> the
> goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim
> communities in my country:* assalaamu alaykum*.
>
>        We meet at a time of tension between the United States and  
> Muslims
> around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go  
> beyond any
> current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West  
> includes
> centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and  
> religious
> wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied  
> rights
> and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim- 
> majority
> countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their  
> own
> aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and
> globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the  
> traditions
> of Islam.
>
>        Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but
> potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and  
> the
> continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against
> civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably  
> hostile not
> only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights.  
> This has
> bred more fear and mistrust.
>
>        So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we  
> will
> empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote  
> conflict
> rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve  
> justice
> and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
>
>        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.
>
>        I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No  
> single
> speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time  
> that I
> have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am
> convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the  
> things we
> hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed  
> doors.
> There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn  
> from each
> other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the  
> Holy Koran
> tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is  
> what I
> will try to do – to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task
> before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as  
> human beings
> are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
>
>        Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. 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.
>
>        As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to  
> Islam.
> It was Islam – at places like Al-Azhar University – that carried the  
> light
> of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s
> Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim  
> communities that
> developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of
> navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how
> disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us
> majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished  
> music;
> elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And  
> throughout
> history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the  
> possibilities of
> religious tolerance and racial equality.
>
>        I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s  
> story.
> The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the  
> Treaty
> of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, "The United
> States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws,  
> religion or
> tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have
> enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in
> government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our
> Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built  
> our
> tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first
> Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath  
> to defend
> our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding  
> Fathers
> – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.
>
>        So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the
> region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my  
> conviction
> that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what  
> Islam is,
> not what it isn’t. And 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. The United States has been  
> one of
> the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We  
> were born
> out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal  
> that all
> are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for  
> centuries to
> give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the  
> world. We
> are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and
> dedicated to a simple concept:* E pluribus unum*: "Out of many, one."
>
>        Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with  
> the
> name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my  
> personal story
> is 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 in our  
> country
> today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.
>
>        Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to
> practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every  
> state of our
> union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S.
> government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls  
> to wear
> the* hijab,* and to punish those who would deny it.
>
>        So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I  
> believe
> that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race,  
> religion,
> or station in life, all of us share common aspirations – to live in  
> peace
> and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love  
> our
> families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This  
> is the
> hope of all humanity.
>
>        Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the  
> beginning of
> our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These  
> needs will
> be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we  
> understand that
> the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will  
> hurt us
> all.
>
>        For we have learned from recent experience that when a  
> financial
> system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a  
> new flu
> infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a  
> nuclear
> weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent
> extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are  
> endangered across
> an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered,  
> that is a
> stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share  
> this
> world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one  
> another
> as human beings.
>
>        This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human  
> history has
> often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to  
> serve
> their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self- 
> defeating.
> Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation  
> or group
> of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of  
> the
> past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with
> through partnership; progress must be shared.
>
>        That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension.  
> Indeed, it
> suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so  
> in that
> spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some  
> specific
> issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
>
>        The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism  
> in all
> of its forms.
>
>        In Ankara, I made clear that 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. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American
> people.
>
>        The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals,  
> and our
> need to work together. 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 am aware that some question or
> 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.
>
>        Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in  
> Afghanistan.
> We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose  
> our
> young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to  
> continue this
> conflict. 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.
>
>        That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six  
> countries.
> And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken.
> Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have  
> killed in
> many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more  
> than any
> other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable  
> with the
> rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The  
> Holy
> Koran 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.
>
>        We also know that military power alone is not going to solve  
> the
> problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest  
> $1.5
> billion each year over the next five years to partner with  
> Pakistanis to
> build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of  
> millions
> to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are  
> providing more
> than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver  
> services
> that people depend upon.
>
>        Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan,  
> Iraq was
> a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and  
> around
> the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately  
> better
> off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that  
> events in
> Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build
> international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.  
> Indeed,
> we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that  
> our
> wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use  
> our power
> the greater it will be.”
>
>        Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a
> better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to  
> the
> Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their  
> territory or
> resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the  
> removal
> of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our
> agreement with Iraq’s democratically-elected government to remove  
> combat
> troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from  
> Iraq by
> 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its  
> economy.
> But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never  
> as a
> patron.
>
>        And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by
> extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous  
> trauma
> to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was  
> understandable, but
> in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our 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.
>
>        So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of
> nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with  
> Muslim
> communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are
> isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all  
> be
> safer.
>
>        The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is  
> the
> situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
>
>        America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is
> unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the
> recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a  
> tragic
> history that cannot be denied.
>
>        Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for  
> centuries,
> and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust.
> Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of  
> camps
> where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the  
> Third
> Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish  
> population
> of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful.
> Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes  
> about
> Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of  
> Israelis
> this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the  
> people of
> this region deserve.
>
>        On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian  
> people
> – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.  
> For more
> than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many  
> wait in
> refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a  
> life of
> peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They  
> endure the
> daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. 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.
>
>        For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with  
> legitimate
> aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise  
> elusive. It
> is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the  
> displacement
> brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the  
> constant
> hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders  
> as well
> as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the  
> other, then
> we will be blind to the truth: 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.
>
>        That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s
> interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally
> pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The
> obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are  
> clear.
> For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up  
> to our
> responsibilities.
>
>        Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through  
> violence and
> killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in
> America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of
> segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights.  
> It was
> a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of
> America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South  
> Africa
> to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a  
> simple
> truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage  
> nor
> power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women  
> on a
> bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is
> surrendered.
>
>        Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can  
> build.
> The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with
> institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have  
> support
> among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To  
> play a role
> in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian  
> people,
> Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and  
> recognize
> Israel’s right to exist.
>
>        At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as  
> Israel’s
> right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United  
> States
> does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This
> construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to  
> achieve
> peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.
>
>        Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that
> Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just  
> as it
> devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis  
> in Gaza
> does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of
> opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the  
> Palestinian
> people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take  
> concrete steps
> to enable such progress.
>
>        Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace
> Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their
> responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used  
> to
> distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it  
> must be
> a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the  
> institutions
> that will sustain their state; to recognize Israel’s legitimacy; and  
> to
> choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.
>
>        America will align our policies with those who pursue peace,  
> and say
> in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and  
> Arabs. We
> cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that  
> Israel will
> not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a  
> Palestinian
> state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
>
>        Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. 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,
> and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully  
> together
> as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be  
> upon
> them) joined in prayer.
>
>        The third source of tension is our shared interest in the  
> rights and
> responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
>
>        This issue has been a source of tension between the United  
> States
> and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined  
> itself in
> part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous
> history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States  
> played
> a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian  
> government.
> Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of
> hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This  
> history
> is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made  
> it clear
> to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move  
> forward.
> The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what  
> future it
> wants to build.
>
>        It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will  
> proceed
> with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to  
> discuss
> between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without
> preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all
> concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a  
> decisive
> point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about  
> preventing
> a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region  
> and the
> world down a hugely dangerous path.
>
>        I understand those who protest that some countries have  
> weapons that
> others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations  
> hold
> nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s  
> commitment to
> seek a world in which* no* nations hold nuclear weapons. And any  
> nation –
> including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear  
> power if
> it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non- 
> Proliferation
> Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be  
> kept
> for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries  
> in the
> region can share in this goal.
>
>        The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
>
>        I know there has been controversy about the promotion of  
> democracy
> in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the  
> war in
> Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be  
> imposed
> upon one nation by any other.
>
>        That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments  
> that
> reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this  
> principle in
> its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America  
> does not
> presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not  
> presume to
> pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding  
> belief
> that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your  
> mind and
> have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law  
> and the
> equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and  
> doesn’t
> steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are  
> not just
> American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will  
> support them
> everywhere.
>
>        There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this  
> much is
> clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more  
> stable,
> successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making  
> them go
> away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding  
> voices to
> be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will
> welcome all elected, peaceful governments – provided they govern with
> respect for all their people.
>
>        This last point is important because there are some who  
> advocate for
> democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are  
> ruthless
> in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold,
> government of the people and by the people sets a single standard  
> for all
> who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not  
> coercion;
> you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a  
> spirit of
> tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your  
> people and
> the legitimate workings of the political process above your party.  
> Without
> these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
>
>        The fifth issue that we must address together is religious  
> freedom.
>
>        Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the  
> history
> of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand  
> as a
> child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an
> overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today.  
> People in
> every country should be free to choose and live their faith based  
> upon the
> persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential  
> for
> religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.
>
>        Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure  
> one’s
> own faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious  
> diversity
> must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts  
> in
> Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the
> divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence,  
> particularly
> in Iraq.
>
>        Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to  
> live
> together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For
> instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made  
> it
> harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is  
> why I am
> committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can  
> fulfill*zakat
> *.
>
>        Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid  
> impeding
> Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for  
> instance, by
> dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise
> hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
>
>         Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are  
> forging
> service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims,  
> and
> Jews. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King  
> Abdullah’s
> Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of
> Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith
> service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is  
> combating
> malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.
>
>        The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.
>
>        I know there is debate about this issue. 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. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are
> well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
>
>        Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means
> simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and  
> Indonesia, we
> have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.  
> Meanwhile, the
> struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American  
> life,
> and in countries around the world.
>
>        Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our  
> sons,
> and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity  
> – men
> and women – to reach their full potential. I do not believe that  
> women must
> make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect  
> those women
> who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should  
> be their
> choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim- 
> majority
> country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young  
> women
> pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their
> dreams.
>
>        Finally, I want to discuss economic development and  
> opportunity.
>
>        I know that for many, the face of globalization is  
> contradictory.
> The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but  
> also
> offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new  
> wealth and
> opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities.  
> In all
> nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that  
> because
> of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our
> politics, and most importantly our identities – those things we most  
> cherish
> about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
>
>        But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There  
> need not
> be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like  
> Japan and
> South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct  
> cultures. The
> same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority  
> countries
> from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim
> communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
>
>        This is important because no development strategy can be  
> based only
> upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young
> people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth  
> as a
> consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader
> development. But all of us must recognize that education and  
> innovation will
> be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim  
> communities
> there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such
> investments within my country. And while America in the past has  
> focused on
> oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader  
> engagement.
>
>        On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase
> scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while
> encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we  
> will match
> promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on- 
> line
> learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a  
> new online
> network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a  
> teenager
> in Cairo.
>
>        On economic development, we will create a new corps of business
> volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority  
> countries. And I
> will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we  
> can
> deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social  
> entrepreneurs
> in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
>
>        On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support
> technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help  
> transfer
> ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open  
> centers 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. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the
> Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we  
> will also
> expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and  
> maternal
> health.
>
>        All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are  
> ready to
> join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious
> leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to  
> help our
> people pursue a better life.
>
>        The issues that I have described will not be easy to address.  
> But we
> have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we  
> seek – a
> world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American  
> troops
> have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each  
> secure in a
> state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful  
> purposes; a
> world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all  
> God’s
> children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the  
> world we
> seek. But we can only achieve it together.
>
>        I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question  
> whether
> we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of
> division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it  
> isn’t
> worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations  
> are
> doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can  
> occur.
> There is so much fear, so much mistrust. 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 remake this world.
>
>        All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The
> question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us  
> apart, or
> whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to  
> find
> common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to
> respect the dignity of all human beings.
>
>        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.
> This truth
> transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t  
> black
> or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a  
> belief
> that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in  
> the heart
> of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me  
> here
> today.
>
>        We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we  
> have the
> courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been  
> written.
>
>        The Holy Koran tells us, “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.”
>
>        The people of the world can live together in peace. We know  
> that is
> God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you.  
> And may
> God’s peace be upon you.
>
>
> -- 
> faiz
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