Editorial
President Obama's outreach to Muslims
However the US needs to be more sensitive about Muslim concerns
We applaud the speech made by US President Obama to the Turkish parliament on Monday, and hope that will be a harbinger of fundamental change in United States policy with respect to how it approaches its relations with the Muslim world.
For too long under his predecessor, the US had pursued policies, taken positions, and made statements that were perceived to be antagonistic to Islam and the Muslim world. From the rhetoric that came out of the Bush White House, to its lack of sensitivity on issues in the Middle East and Afghanistan, to refusal to listen to Muslim concerns, the perception was created that the US was hostile to Islam.
It is good that President Obama has unequivocally stated: "The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam." Not only this, but he has taken concrete steps to reach out to Muslims and address Muslim concerns, such as closing down Guantanamo Bay, that, together with his pledges to wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan give one some confidence that a new era is dawning when it comes to America's relations with the Muslim world.
There is no reason for antagonism. There are millions of Muslim Americans who are free to practice their faith freely and with dignity. In addition, as President Obama stated in his landmark address, the interests of the US and of the Muslims of the world are aligned, not just in fighting terror but also in terms of providing opportunities so that young Muslims do not feel marginalised and dispossessed.
A rapprochement between the US and the Muslim world is long overdue. For the world's foremost power to be in apparent conflict with one of the great religions with over one billion adherents is simply an untenable situation that has given rise to extraordinary tensions and has led to considerable unease among the Muslims of the world and unwarranted distrust between them and the US.
This is the kind of bold thinking that we hoped that President Obama would bring to the White House. This is the kind of vision and courage that is needed in an unstable world. We applaud his important speech, and hope that his administration will back them up with deeds that will truly win the respect and the affection of the Muslim world.
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