What Islam Wants Most: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

In a one hour speech, Barack Obama did more to bring peace between the USA and the Islamic world than all other presidents combined. How? Simple. He showed sincere, heart-felt respect for Islam.

The United States has never had a president with family members who followed the Islamic faith. None. All have come from either Protestant Christianity or, in the case of John F. Kennedy, Catholicism. Christianity has a history of warfare with Islam that traces to its very beginnings. It is natural that even presidents like George W. Bush, who sincerely tried to reach out to the Islamic community in the USA, convey through body language and tone of voice a sense that Islam is somehow inferior to Christianity.

Not so Barack Obama. His father followed the Islamic faith in Kenya. He lived with his mother in Indonesia, a nation with a large Muslim population that lives by and large peacefully with Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists. Barack Obama has a heart-felt respect for Islam that is conveyed through his body language, tone of voice, knowledge of the Koran, and initiative to address the Muslim world community. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, in the words of Aretha Franklin. Obama first showed that respect by saying at the beginning of his speech: "As the Holy Quran tells us, 'Be conscious of God and speak always the truth,' " . "That is what I will try to do today, to speak the truth as best I can."

Studies have shown that while people in the Middle East who adhere to the Islamic faith have respect for many aspects of Western Civilization, that respect is not reciprocated by Western people, most specifically most US citizens. And if John McCain had been elected president (a man I respect and voted for), that in-the-marrow-of-the-bones respect would probably still have been missing.

The Constitution requires that a person has to be born a US citizen to become president of the USA. Although the USA has a large Islamic population, somewhere between 2 to 10 million, the likelihood of a presidential candidate with Middle Eastern ancestry winning a USA presidential election is low, especially in the climate of the war on terrorism. It is truly remarkable that a man with the name Barack Hussein Obama could win the presidential election in 2008. But he did!

Only an African-American has a chance to become President with Islamic parents.The African-American community in the USA are, by and large, descended from African slaves. Many Africans brought through the Middle Passage on slave ships adhered to the Islamic faith. They kept that faith alive although the slave holders refused to take their faith seriously. During the post-Civil Rights era from Martin Luther King, many African Americans, rediscovering their pre-slavery Islamic roots, returned to the Muslim faith. Malcom X stands as a remarkable example of that return. A study of his life shows that, in the days leading up to his assassination, X returned to the embracing, tolerant roots of Islam and rejected the radically racist interpretation of Black Muslims. That is the reason for his assassination by members of the Black Muslim faith.

Yet Obama received his family inheritance of Islam, and his middle name Hussein, directly from Africa. His father, traveling to the USA as an exchange student from Kenya, brought his Islamic faith directly with him. Obama's African ancestry, and Islamic faith, came by airplane across the Atlantic rather than through the Middle Passage by slave ships. A Christian, Obama has kindly feelings toward his father's faith.

The tremors of Barack Hussein Obama's speech in Cairo on June 4th have been rippling powerfully throughout the Islamic world, most recently in Iran. Iran, one of the three axis of evil in George W. Bush's doctrine, has been witnessing demonstrations for the reformists candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi to unseat radical fundamentalist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran has a tradition of supporting reform candidates. What makes this important is that many Iranians disagree with the Holocaust denier-Israel annihilator- nuclear warmonger posture of Ahmadinejad. I just have to think that Obama's speech has emboldened the reformist movement in Iran.

Indeed, we have witnessed a new beginning of relationships between the USA and the Islamic world. Just read Obama's speech! It is truly historic and monumental! I have to admit, that I had not listened to or read the entire transcript of President Obama's speech in Cairo until I worked on this article. I had gotten my impression from Internet video clips. After all, it is a 55 minute speech!

Yet, please take the time to read his speech, which I am including below. I expect that you, like I have been, will be astounded at the profundity of the speech and the era of good feelings between the USA and Muslim nations that will move like a tidal wave throughout the Islamic world. For those who lack the time to read the following speech, I would like to give you the conclusion which I find the most powerful passage:

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." (Applause.)
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.

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REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

ON A NEW BEGINNING

Cairo University

Cairo, Egypt

1:10 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. 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. And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm 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. (Applause.)

We meet at a time of great 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 coexistence 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 11, 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. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

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, 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. I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other 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." (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today -- 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.

Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I'm 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 at 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 -- 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 -- (applause) -- 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. (Applause.)

I also know 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, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've 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. (Applause.)

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. (Applause.)

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. (Applause.) 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."

Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) 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 -- and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That's why the United States 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. (Applause.)

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. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Applause.) 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.
And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes -- and, yes, religions -- subjugating one another in pursuit of 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 to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared. (Applause.)

Now, 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 as 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. (Applause.) 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'm aware that there's still some who would question or even 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.

Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military -- 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 now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.

And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 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 -- but 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 is as -- it is as if he has killed all mankind. (Applause.) And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind (Applause.) 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.

Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's 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've been displaced. That's why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.

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. (Applause.) 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. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people -- (applause) -- 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. And that's 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 of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) 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 or forget our principles. Nine-eleven 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 traditions and 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. (Applause.)

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, it is ignorant, and it is 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 60 years they've 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. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Applause.)

For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It's easy to point fingers -- for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about 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. (Applause.)

That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires. (Applause.) The obligations -- 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 it 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 neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That's not how moral authority is claimed; that's 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 to recognize they have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, 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. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)

And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. 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 a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.

And 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 we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. (Applause.) 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 been shed. 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 the 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 -- (applause) -- as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer. (Applause.)
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 in fact 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've 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.

I recognize 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's 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 nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) 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'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)

I know -- 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 by 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. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)

Now, 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're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would 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.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) 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 and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld -- whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, 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's why I'm 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 can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretense of liberalism.
In fact, faith should bring us together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That's 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 -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights. (Applause.) I know –- I know -- and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy 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. (Applause.) 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, Indonesia, we've 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.

I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. (Applause.) 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. 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. (Applause.)

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 into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations -- including America -- this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose 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 contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously 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.
And 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 -- (applause) -- and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I'm emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to 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. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person 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 more jobs. We'll 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, grow new crops. Today I'm 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 that 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's so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. 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 reimagine the world, 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's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier 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's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) 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 hearts of billions around the world. 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." (Applause.)

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. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)
END
2:05 P.M. (Local)

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How About the Good Samaritan?

Life is fine when everything goes right. When we are in our groove, when we know just what to do or say, when everyone is happy with us. The trouble starts when we make a mistake.

A mistake. A misstep. A wrong word. A joke that offends rather than delights. That's when life gets tough.

The hardest part of offending another is letting ourselves feel the pain of the mistake. None of us likes to feel pain. Neither the person who is offended nor the person who offends. The easiest way to deal with the knowledge that we have offended another is to shut it out, to justify our act, to put the blame on the person who feels the offense. That's the easiest way, but that is not the best way.

We all watched the drama unfold on the national stage involving Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. He has spent his professional life dealing with the history of African Americans, the injustice they have experienced. That is his profession and no one in America is more aware of the racial profiling, lynching, discrimination, slavery--the most abject form of chattel in history--than he. Gates has attained a position of respect for his achievements.

Here he is. Most likely quite tired after returning from a long trip home from China. Having made many trips between Asia and that USA, I know the feeling. Not only have you endured the ordeal of many hours going back and forth to the airport, going through security, waiting to board, and then sitting in a chair for 12 hours or so that constricts your blood vessels at the legs. Not fun for the frequent flier.

So, Gates, full of the knowledge of injustice toward the black man in America, tired, ready for rest, found his front door jammed. It must have been a chronic problem, something that he neglected to take care of in the past. So, he, irritated, breaks the door open, then goes inside quite agitated. I think we have all be there, right?

Watching the drama, an "elderly woman without a cell phone" hails Lucia Whalen on a walk to a lunch appointment through Gates' neighborhood. She points out what looks like a break in. Lucia's phone call has been recorded. She never referred to the race of Gates and his fellow. Just a good Samaritan seeking to protect Gates' property! Her only intention was to do good.


Sgt. James Crowley shows up at Professor "Bad Day" Gates's front door, doing what the good people of Cambridge pay him to do--protect people and property. He didn't know Gates yet thought that he might actually be the home owner. But when Bad Day Irish-Black American Gates bad mouthed Irish Policeman Gates, he got arrested by his team of policemen, including black officers.

OK. So far so good. Gates would cool off in the brig then return home, meet with his lawyer, and do what he does best, rid the world of unrighteous behavior toward Irish-Black Americans. Life goes on as usual. Until the news story reaches the President of the United States half baked and a Chicago reporter asks his opinion at a nationally televised news conference.

I happened to be watching the news interview live when the reporter asked him about the case. Obama fell for it. He had a knee-jerk reaction, viscerally remembering the many, many cases of police profiling in Illinois, the bill he sponsored to stop racial profiling, the fact that Gates had been arrested in his home and blurted that the police had acted stupidly. There you have it! The first African-Anglo American President of the United States making a mistake on a very highly charged issue in America: racial profiling!

What a mess! Mistakes all around! No one got killed or hurt but lots of pain spread all around. Three highly successful, professional, competent leaders stepping on each other's toes on the public stage. And now they have the honor of drinking a beer together tonight at the White House, working through their little disagreement that came to symbolize all the racial injustice that every happened between whites and blacks in America.


What happened to Lucia Whalen in this forgiveness fest? The good Samaritan who did not have to make a call to the police about a break in, got the short end of the stick.

Why didn't Professor Gates thank Whalen for being a good citizen, for putting herself out on the limb to protect his property? Why didn't Officer Crowley call Whalen to thank her for being a good citizen? Why didn't President Obama call to thank her for acting the good Samaritan without thought of herself? Instead she bore the brunt of insults and taunts, called a racist far and wide, the racial profiler. And she didn't even get an invitation for a beer at the White House with the guys! I guess the lesson here is, think twice before you act the Good Samaritan. All things will be forgiven but that.

UPDATE: August 1, 2009: YES!!!
Gates sends flowers to passerby who called police

UPDATE: August 2, 2009: Gates racial drama ensnares minor characters, too

Obama is God: Or At Least Jesus Christ

"I will complete the next 100 days in 72 days. Then on the 73rd day I will rest." Pretty good humor. Pretty good humor because Obama skillfully tapped a common view of his presidential leadership. Obama is God. Or at least Jesus Christ.

"Most of you covered me. All of you voted for me." Another pun for the Press Club dinner at the White House. Funny. Funny because that is the truth. The Press elected Obama. The Liberal establishment elected Obama. Already the Press is celebrating Obama as a great president, possibly the greatest president in US history.

But just because the Liberal establishment elected Obama, and have given him a cushioned ride in a palanquin, doesn't make him a great president. He has been grappling with a Great Depression-like economic crisis. The jury is still out on whether or not his policies will work. I, like most people, hope so. His, and Michelle's, charismatic characters, won lots of friends in Europe and Latin America. That's hopeful. Hopeful, but not tangible accomplishments.

Still, Obama and Michelle might be on the path of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The Roosevelts are two of my heroes. I live in the Hudson Valley of New York just a few miles from their presidential and first lady museums. There are remarkable similarities between the Roosevelts and the Obamas. Both inherited the White House with the nation in a great, or nearly great, depression. Both brought a charisma to the office that inspired confidence in the people during a time of uncertainty and fear. Both found the conservatives livid in opposition to bail out programs.

It might be worth noting that Franklin Roosevelt did not bring the USA out of the Great Depression. Granted, his government sponsored work programs in the New Deal helped many restore their dignity and earn money to care for their families. But the USA only came out of the Great Depression when we entered World War II in 1941. From that time, the USA had full employment, including women taking on the jobs that men serving in the military left unfilled. It took a Hitler, Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito to bring the USA out of the Great Depression.

That points to the one thing above all else that makes a president great. The great president leads the USA through a life and death struggle for existence. Franklin D. Roosevelt met that criteria. During the pre-war years, Roosevelt did what he could to prod a pacifist USA to help Great Britain, France, and the rest of Europe to defeat Hitler and Mussolini. After Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt led the USA to rally its full strength in three theaters of war; the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pacific.

Not only did Roosevelt lead the USA to defeat Germany, Italy, and Japan along with the Allied Forces, his practical non-ideological form of leadership helped to lay the foundation for the successful defeat of communism. During the Great Depression, many Liberals touted the Soviet Union as the panacea for capitalism's ills. Roosevelt preserved both democracy and capitalism by just doing what needed to be done.

Will Obama, God forbid, be given the opportunity to lead the USA through a life and death struggle like Franklin Roosevelt did? That would be the full measure of test. If not, then regardless of how much the Liberal establishment touts Obama as God or Jesus Christ, he will be a second tier president, at best.

Eleanor Roosevelt emerged after her husband's death to take leadership in creating the United Nations, drafting the charter for the United Nations. Michelle has big shoes to fill. Eleanor lacked Michelle's beauty, yet they both have charm. And both of them possess impressive intellect. Will Michelle Obama be given the chance to draft a world government document on the level of the United Nations?

Who are the greatest presidents in American history? Here are my top ten:

1. Abraham Lincoln (Civil War)
2. George Washington (Revolutionary War)
3. Ronald Reagan (Cold War)
4. Franklin Roosevelt (World War II)
5. Woodrow Wilson (World War I)
6. James Polk (Mexican-American War)
7. James Madison (War of 1812)
8. George Bush (9/11 War)
9. Harry Truman (World War II/Korean War)
10. John Kennedy (Cold War)

Let's let God--oops! I mean Obama--deal with the challenges ahead before declaring him the greatest president in history. He still has the Great Depression, Iran, Israel, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and North Korea to deal with. His call for the Green Society could pan out to be like Johnson's call for the Great Society if he fails to meet the life and death challenges down the road. Let us all pray that he has the right stuff, even if he falls a bit short of God or Jesus Christ.