By The Associated Press
Text of President Barack Obama's speech at Cairo University, as provided by CQ Transcriptions.
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, had stood as a beacon of Islamic learning. And for over a
century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement.
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 good will of the American
people and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country:
Assalamu Alaikum.
(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 Quran 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 Quran 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. Just as...
(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.
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.
So let there be no doubt...
(APPLAUSE)
...
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. 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 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-Qaida 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 offense of 9/11. But let us be clear.
Al-Qaida 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-Qaida 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. 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 Quran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as - it is as it if has killed all mankind.
(APPLAUSE)
And the holy Quran 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 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.
Now, 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. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people...
(APPLAUSE)
I
have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no basis 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. 9/11 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.
Now, 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 the 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 and
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
interests, Palestine's interests, America's interests and the world's
interests. And that's why I intend to personally pursue this outcome
with all of the patience and dedication that the task requires.
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, to Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a
simple truth: 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 responsibility. 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.
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 could, 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 - 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 discussion 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.
Now, I understand those who protest that some
countries have weapons that others do not. No single nations 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 am hopeful that
all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
(APPLAUSE)
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 SHOUTS)
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 worshipped 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 people 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 work 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, 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.
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. And in too...
(APPLAUSE)
And
in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these
areas. I am 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 new seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand change 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 core 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 country and to help
transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We will
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 to
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 is 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, the 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 is 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 Quran tells
us: "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.
END
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