Obama seeks new beginning between US, Muslims

Obama seeks new beginning between US, Muslims

Quoting from the Holy Qura’an for emphasis, President Barack Obama called for a “new beginning between the United States and Muslims” recently and said together, they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East. “This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,” Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world’s largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations after the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, and the US-led war in Iraq. Obama said his country does not want to keep its troops in Afghanistan. “Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there,” he said. “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.” Obama, however, said his country’s commitment to fulfill its role, as part of a 46-country coalition will “will not weaken” despite the costs involved. “It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict,” he said. “We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan.” He added the US plans to invest 1.5 billion dollars each year over the next five years in construction and aid money to the displaced in Pakistan, and 2.8 billion dollars to help Afghans develop their economy. In a gesture to the Islamic world, Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension “has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.” “And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear,” said the president, who recalled hearing prayer calls of ‘Azaan’ at dawn and dusk while living in Indonesia as a boy. At the same time, he said the same principle must apply in reverse. “Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.” Obama said the actions of violent extremist Muslims are “irreconcilable with the rights of human beings”, and quoted the Qura’an to make his point: “be conscious of God and always speak the truth.” “Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism, it is an important part of promoting peace,” he said. “Hamas must put an end to violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel’s right to exist,” he said of the organisation the United States deems as terrorist. “The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people,” Obama said. “At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” on the West Bank and outskirts of Jerusalem, he said. “It is time for these settlements to stop.” As for Jerusalem itself, he said it should be a “secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims ...” Obama also said the Arab nations should no longer use the conflict with Israel to distract their own people from other problems. Obama said he has a commitment to governments “that reflect the will of the people”. And yet, he said, “No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.” At times, there was an echo of Obama’s campaign mantra of change in his remarks, and he said many are afraid it cannot occur. “There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward,” he said. Will Obama speech satisfy Muslim world? Why this bloodshed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, if U. S. not against the humanity? Isn’t U.S. pursuing double-standard policy? Let us know your comments.