Obama's historic speech
The 'FRONTLINES', a publication of the Bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs”, USAID in its latest (July 2009) has published the main features of the historic speech which the US President Barack Obama had delivered in Cairo on June 4, 2009. In this speech which has been translated into 15 different languages on the White House website, President Obama said “I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect”. The US President further said “Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments, community organisations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim countries around the world to help our people pursue a better life.” Obama pledged US foreign assistance for education, women's rights, democracy and economic development. Expressing respect for the rights of women to choose a traditional life style, the US President added “I do believe that a woman who is denied education is denied equality……And 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”. The President also announced an initiative with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio.
We greatly appreciate the feelings and good wills the US President expressed in his Cairo speech towards improving relations between the United States and Muslim countries.
It is sincerely hoped that the hostilities and mistrusts existing between the United States and the Muslim world will be significantly dissolved by President Obama's Cairo speech. In reciprocation, the Muslim world leaders should also take initiatives to resolve the crisis between the Muslim countries and the United States of America.
Islam is a religion of peace and restraint. Islam never discriminates human beings for their religious identity. The Holy Quran is explicit about one thing that there is no compulsion in religion.
We sincerely hope that President Barack Obama with his new vision and mission would help the suffering Muslims of the world to establish their genuine rights, for example, the rights of Palestinian Muslims.
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