Heralding a new era of respect

US President Barack Obama rose to the occasion in Cairo, exceeding the expectations and predictions of many commentators.

He masterfully built on his previous overture to Muslims in his inaugural Al Arabiya interview followed by his speeches in Turkey.

In what has the potential to be a transformative historical moment, he called for "a new beginning between the US and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect".

While acknowledging the ups and downs of Muslim-West relations, periods of co-existence and cooperation as well as conflict and religious wars, Obama challenged both America and Muslims globally not to be fixated on differences, but on building a new way forward based on humanity, shared values and interests.

Obama's address reveals his awareness of the findings of major polls, like the Gallup World Poll (see Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think) that the deep differences that divide are about respect for Islam and the value of Muslim lives and about American foreign policy, not religion or a clash of civilisations.

Obama demonstrated a desire to address and redress political concerns and grievances in hotspots, ranging from Palestine and Iraq to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

He emphasised the need for diplomacy over military responses: his plans to pull out of Iraq and to use temporary military power in Afghanistan in coalition with some 46 countries.

Most importantly, Obama promised aid for economic and educational development to assist Pakistanis and Afghans.

Equally important, Obama was crystal clear in communicating his respect for Islam and Muslims, "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".

Obama singled out Muslims' past accomplishments as well as Islam's place in America: "Islam has always been a part of America's story& 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".

While Obama indicated an awareness of the problems of discrimination that some American Muslims have faced and still face, much more must be done to address the impact of the Patriot Act and Secret Evidence on the civil liberties of Muslims and its devastating affect on families.

Obama was equally direct and candid with his Muslim audience, speaking out against crude stereotyping of America as a self-interested empire and addressed multiple issues: religious freedom, Christians in the Arab world, anti-Semitism, women's status, religious extremism, political authoritarianism and human rights.

He, however, balanced his critique and prescription with respect and the need for partnership, not unilateral action, in building a new way forward.

On perhaps the most difficult issue, Palestine and Israel, Obama identified the heart of the problem: the equal and competing claims and aspirations of two peoples with very different narratives.

He balanced his emphasis on America's unbreakable bond with Israel by recognising the tragic plight of both Muslim and Christian Palestinians and the pain of dislocation from their "homeland" and the daily humiliations of the Israeli "occupation".

Characterising the Palestinian situation as intolerable, he declared: "America will not turn its back on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own".

But Obama's real challenge will be moving both sides forward. To do this, the US administration will need to acknowledge that not only the Palestinians but also Israelis are guilty of acts of illegitimate violence.

Just as there cannot be real peace unless the Palestinians recognise Israel's right to exist and be secure, there cannot be a peaceful and secure Palestine unless the current Israeli government retracts any notion of a 'Greater Israel' and recognises UN resolutions regarding the return to pre-1967 borders. This means not just freezing but rolling back illegal colonies.

A remarkable and potentially far-reaching statement missed by many, the strongest by a US president in many years, is Obama's recognition that Occupied Jerusalem belongs to all three Abrahamic faiths: "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 [Occupied] Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims".

Like previous US presidents, Obama faces a critical issue of how to work with authoritarian regimes while supporting calls by secular and mainstream Islamist leaders across the Muslim world for greater power-sharing.

Obama underscored the responsibility of Arab and Muslim leaders for developing more democratic societies: giving people a say in how they are governed, confidence in the equal administration of justice and the freedom to live as they choose.

Obama stressed that this is not because they are American ideas but fundamental human rights. How his administration's policies will reconcile support for autocrats with the democratic aspirations of their populations remains to be seen.

Obama's Cairo address, in what may prove to be an historic event, was a major step forward in changing the course of American-Muslim relations.

It is a big step on a path which, as he acknowledges, will take years and present challenges to multiple and diverse audiences.

Obama spoke first and foremost to Muslim communities but also to all Americans. His message on the need for a new beginning, marked by recognising not only differences, past and present, but also interdependence, shared values and common interests represents a new mindset and paradigm for US-Muslim relations.

Dr John L. Esposito is director of the Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding and co-author of Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think.

It is interesting to see and hear the reactions of the region to Obama's speach, especially considering the fact that George W. Bush said many of the same things throughout his administration. Clearly, it is not the message as much as it is the messenger...
Ben N.
Washington DC,United States
Posted: June 08, 2009, 15:21

He is fantastic and given fantastic speech in Cairo people who suffered at the hands of previous American policies towards muslims wants to see his words turn in to actions and will remember him forever for his good deeds with regards to mutual respect,justice and equality that was lacked in previous American presidents
Syed Qurban Hussain
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 08, 2009, 12:42