In his speech at Cairo University, President Obama said that in today’s interconnected world, “any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail.” Instead, nations need to work in partnership so that our “progress must be shared.”
The president outlined seven issues “we must finally confront together.” Here is what they are and a brief comment the president made about each one:
1. Violent extremism: “America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. … We reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women and children.”
2. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “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.”
3. Securing nuclear weapons: “This is not simply about America’s interests. It’s about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.”
4. Democracy: “No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other. That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.”
5. Religious freedom: “Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it.”
6. Women’s rights: “Issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam … the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”
7. Economic development and opportunity: “There need not be contradictions between development and tradition.”
A summary and full transcript of the president’s speech is available on America.gov.
Comments (19)
Basma Irsheid and Bassem Qardan
4 June 2009 at 10:57 EDT
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President Obama’s speech was inspiring and idenified the source of all maladies affecting our livelyhood in the Moslem world.
We support President Obama’s honorable and couragous efforts to bring forth a better understanding between America and the Moslem and Arab world, guided by the undying principles that founded and forged the United States of America.
We applaude the American people for giving us a new hope in the person of President Obama.
We salute President Obama for his humanity, wisdom, and charisma and pray that divine providence guide his path to acheive an everlasting peace in the Middle East.
Basma Irsheid and Bassem Qardan
Ahmed
4 June 2009 at 11:07 EDT
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Mr. President, I would like to thank you for your speech today for it was heartfelt and sincere. Your speech profoundly resonate the true ideals of Islam and of who we are as a people. Additionally, your speech demonstrates the essence of the true American ideals of equality, individuality, and justice that we all love and value very much contrary to the false contentions of some people (those who say that Muslims and Islam are only out there to do harm especially to Americans). Perhaps the applause that you have received today in your speech attests to that.
I also hope you had a very wonderful time in my country Egypt. Believe me; now that your plane just took off, we are starting to miss you, and the energy and enthusiasm that you bring with you.
I am certain that through mutual respect and effort, we all can live in harmony and can change. This belief was not developed only during your visit; but way before that, during your elections. I believed in you and believed your ideals.
I pray that opponents of Mr. Obama go easy on him and give him a chance to set forth a precedent that global corporation with diligence and modesty can make our world a better place.
Mr. Obama, today you reassured me personally, that anyone can bring about positive change to the world, irrespective of people’s differing occupations or endeavors.
Once again, thank you!
Your friend, Ahmed.
Abdul Awwal
4 June 2009 at 13:20 EDT
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I heard the historic speech of President Obama at Cairo University live. I was overwhelmed with what I heard. It was pure music to my ears!! Especially when he was quoting the holy Quran. This i the way to fight radicalism. He has not only paved the way of mutual respect with Muslims but also the way of mutual recognition. He sounded very sincere in his pursuit of making a CHANGE. May Allah accept his endevours amply and bless him. It was one of the most attractive speech I have heard. Congratulations Mr. President! He made my day! God bless America!!
With profound regards,
Abdul Awwal, Dhaka, Bangladesh
cheryl brooks
4 June 2009 at 16:39 EDT
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The President never ceases to amaze me. I can never thank Allah enough for putting him in charge in our most dire straights, He’s certainly a Gentleman to say the least. I cried becaus I was so happy with his words it’s nice to have a person you can trust, he’s proving to be an honest broker from the first off start. I believe he will be the best President we ever had, God willing. I pray Allah blesses his every effort. I certainly love you Mr. President. Thank you so much for representing us.
Jean Marie Benishay
4 June 2009 at 17:06 EDT
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Mr President,
First of all, I praise God who chose you to be President of the United State of America.
I am a christian and strongly believe that people can live in peace if they understand who they are. I think that people’s mistake is “I think, so I am”. To me it should be “I am, so I think”. Who I am (human created by God to praise Him and love my neighbor as myself) should guide each one of my actions.
Mr President, once again you have demonstrated to the world that the US is a country of equality and justice; a land where everything is possible. I am deeply convinced that US is coming back at the international scene as a great leader and partner.
May God help you to always have enough wisdom to advocate for values you strongly believe and who are the foudation of the US.
May I be considered as your friend
Thank you Mr President
Jean Marie Benishay
jack liuta
Location: kinshasa
17 September 2009 at 09:17 EDT
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Hello brother Benishay,i am jack i’ve just obtained my bach(licence) from the University of Kinshasa this year. it’s by any chance that i’ve found your message to the president Obama in this Web site.
i met you for the first time at Kinshasa in 2006 in MONASTERE (GBU)where i was very blessed by your teachings as “Devenir meilleur pour Christ”.I just want to tell you that i am so proud of you ,beceause by your comment we can certify that we have africans who can well defend this continent among the World by their thinkings. God bless you
nazir ahmad bhat
4 June 2009 at 23:33 EDT
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that was historical speech. it is creating history out of history.the two significant factors wre prominatly there. : one american struggle to achieve prsent tatus of advancement; second:reffering the noblest president and scholar:president jefferson.MrObama was too; humble to choose leatrning centre of humankind and delivered a well couched lecture which muslim world would like to cherish for long time to come.While reminding the evelutionary process of human history; president obama highlighted the role of muslims in the advancement of science and technology as also of craft and art.it was also reminded tht all these things became transmitter to europe when the europe was in dark ages.human conduct and the natural laws are unchangable irrespective of caste; color and creed.when europe could come out from dark ages to present advancement; why not muslims who already had the long and sustained history of learning?The mesage of the president to the muslim world for and on behalf of american people is highly encourging.extremism wherever; found needs to be eliminated.The learned american society through president obama achnowledged that islam means peace and withstands with it.while commenting on history president for his own careful choice didnt touch the extremism prevailing in other parts of the globe without maliging their religion.in the recent past bosnia is the worst example of extreme religio-nationalism where at government level genocide of muslims took place; still; history never qoted the then belgrade religious fanatic society?in the preceeding history hitler is the another example of perpretrating genecide of jews brothern; yet;history never linked it religious fanatisim.on the other hand if a muslim anywhere in the globe just because of his criminal instinct does anything wrong the western media including all others club it with islam;which notion needs to be dispelled.the presideent;s advice to plestains to shun voilence and assume coperation and strengeth needs to be taken care of by the concerned. the similar advice to isreal that isreal can;t persist at the blood and cost of plestine requires full implementation.inspite of all reminders from united states government to stall new settlements ;nothing positve was done; on the other hand government of isreal dismissed such political advicesnt and continued such settellements even president obama was delivering his lecture at cairo.the quranic comment read by president obama”lo u wre created in tribes and nations for each others recognition and not for discrimination”was also quoted by president bill clinton at pakistan sometime before.the president obama needs now to bring into reality the two state concept of plestine and isreal to usher into new hope ;peace and prosperity.otherwise; accademic speech of obama shall be counted only in the accademic archives ofal-azhar;which we all wish it may not but shall turn a guiding force of reality as between communities of world to fulfill another dictum of holy quran:u adam ;u were not created on earth to spread voilence”my heartfelt compliments to the people of america and president obama.May allah give peace to you as also to our isreali and plestinan brothern to live in peace and harmony.ameen. thx
Mohamed Hatta Shaharom
5 June 2009 at 05:41 EDT
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I’m writing as a Malaysian medical volunteer who entered Gaza with my countrymen and many other international volunteers, a few days after Israel’s 22-day Operation Cast Lead of December 2008-January 2009. We witnessed the carnage resulting from it.
Indeed, the speech is a fresh start in the American president’s effort to engage the Muslims, not on the battlefield, but on the socio-political stage at my alma mater – Cairo University. While delivering sermons of peace and non-violence to the neighbours’ children (read Muslims), America must discipline her own recalcitrant children (Zionist Israelis who have a long track record of violence).
Beyond those engaging approach and perhaps convincing words, the Quran-quoting Barack Hussein Obama will be judged by his deeds in the Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and of course, Israel of tomorrow.
As a religion of peace, Islam welcomes all efforts towards reconciliation and peace with honour, without ignoring the basic universal rights of the conflicting parties. Now that America and Islam are not at war, as Obama declared, we should be nursing our wounds together.
President Obama has just over three (maybe almost eight) years to prove his claims. While we Muslims may adopt an optimistic attitude on the issue, we should be prepared for yet another disappointment (should it happen), four or eight years from today.
I wish President Obama the best of luck in his commendable endeavour.
suryanarayanan
5 June 2009 at 06:47 EDT
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it is really a good beginning for Obama. Hope he continues in the same tone, justice but in a firm manner
fatma
5 June 2009 at 21:23 EDT
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Mr. President it was a wonderfull speech and a very touching one, i as a somalian muslim girl living in my second beloved country egypt, was very happy that u talked to the muslim world in cairo university, where 3 noble prize winners have graduated from. Thank you so much that you are trying to change the idea that muslims are terrorists and really no one in the muslim world likes bin laden, because he kills innocent people, and if you have realized these days that no one concentrates on what he says, we have to try to forget him unlike what the aljazeera channel does. This channel is so weird it broadacsts(no other channel in the arab does that) what he says to the muslim youth and nobody likes him and we sometimes make fun at him, because he thinks that we are listening to him while we’re not.
Yousaf
6 June 2009 at 04:07 EDT
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The world will become One someday, if God keeps sending people like Barack Obama to this globe.
I sincerely hope the President’s work on the positive lines will include him some day in the ranks of Abraham Lincoln, M. K. Gandhi, Nelson Mandela & other great people.
Joel Clark
11 June 2009 at 15:31 EDT
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Yousaf,
The world will never be “one” … until after everything is said and done … according the Holy scripture.
O is trying to represent a Christian nation, using his Muslim faith.
What I’m having trouble with is “How” folks like yourself and the many other Islamic ones here … can continue to praise someone who is so blatantly dishonest?!!
He HID his Muslim background during his campaign … TO GET ELECTED by the millions of Christians who are now being subjected to his true beliefs.
How can he be such a great man, when the very foundation of his rise to “fame” is based on lies, deception, and the empty promises of being something he’s not?
Truly great men aren’t the ones you mentioned … but I’m sure your kind will soon place him at the same level as Abraham and Moses?
I see him more as being a Judas Iscariot … and you probably won’t know who that is until you read the New testament of the Holy Bible. You know, the book that talks about Jesus Christ … not Mohamed?
jamshed
7 June 2009 at 01:04 EDT
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That was a tremendously facsinating speech. Mr. President will demolish the barriers that were erected by others in the past between muslim countries and United States. This dream could only come true if muslim countries honestly cooperate in tautening this link towards achieving global goal (security and elimination of terrorisms nests).
Jams
Kabul
Samad
7 June 2009 at 23:56 EDT
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His delivery is very attractive for the Muslim Society but unbelievable. we want a world in peace.
Alhassane Yehia
8 June 2009 at 06:49 EDT
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So far so good. It is dawn for new hopes of justice and equity.
shiv
8 June 2009 at 09:48 EDT
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A beautiful speech. If anyone can buy some lasting peace with the terrorists organization, only he is the man. He should address the terrorists all over the world and drive home some sense into their heads that killing innocents can never solve anything. Since talking to them across the table is not possible, his speeches such as the one in Cairo can go a long way.
Aaron Nyangkwe
Location: Douala cameroon
10 June 2009 at 08:44 EDT
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When President Obama said that just a speech could not solve the problem between the US and some Arab fundamentalists, I think that he was underestimating the power and the effect of that speech. a speech more powerful than all the missiles that the US ever possessed!!!
I have read and read that speech again and found out that apart from the Bible, no other document has produced soul searching words. It is take it or leave, that is the truth. An American journalist referred to Obama as God, I am tempted not believe him wrong.
As a proof, the Obama administration should get the CIA carry out a survey on the amount of the Coran that has been bought since the Cairo speech. Obama made so many Muslims who have never read a Coran to go looking for one and find the truth. I have confirmations around me here in Cameroon.
That alone is a major victory. The current American President (the last bullet the world has now to conquer all world aversions) has to understand that he has taken a major step towards conquering Al Qaida. After Cairo many people will have to disolidarize with the terror hinch pin manipulating them based falsely on Islam.
Had America understood this before?
mashasa
Location: Russia
14 June 2009 at 10:22 EDT
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Довольно интересно конечно. Я немогу подписаться под каждым вашим словом, но в общем соглашусь.
Mack jackson
Location: USA
23 June 2009 at 00:07 EDT
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Ya i agree with the point about women’s right and i hope that obama can change the views of the people about women. For more details on women and working women refer http://www.prime-targeting.com/working-for-working-women/.