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US President Barack Obama waves after addressing Turkey's Parliament in Ankara, Apr. 6, 2009. (Reuters Photo) |
On Monday, April 6, 2009, President Barack Obama gave his much awaited address to the Muslim World. As expected it was honest, straight forward, did not mince words, did not eschew issues, and above all went far beyond any previous American Presidential speech in trying to genuinely connect with Muslims.
Obama's speech to the Turkish Parliament really was a combination of two speeches. The first part of his speech addressed Turkey and the second part was directed to the wider Muslim audience. Both elements of this address were remarkable.
Remarks to Turkey
| Obama finally said what Muslim thinkers and analysts wanted to hear. |
Acknowledging Turkey's growing importance and significance on the international stage, Obama reaffirmed Turkey's status as the Muslim country closest to the West. His message to Turkey touched upon a few tricky issues but more or less underscored the durability of US-Turkish relations; it expressed hope that the two countries would move beyond their disagreement over Iraq, specially given the fact that the new administration's Iraq policy is more inline with Turkish interests.
Obama described Turkey as an important part of Europe and referred to its secular democracy twice without acknowledging the growing Islamic sentiment in the Turkish public sphere. He made an oblique reference to it towards the end of his speech but clearly his formal remarks were more to the liking of the secularists in Turkey than AKP's constituency. I suppose the White House assumed that the part of the speech addressing the Muslim world included those in Turkey who saw themselves as part of the Muslim World more than part of Europe.
Obama's speech, the part that addressed the Muslim World, was extraordinary both in the specific issues it addressed and the new philosophical and political standpoint that the United States is taking vis-à-vis Muslims. Right off the bat, Obama finally said what Muslim thinkers and analysts like me who have worked hard to build bridges between the United States and the Muslim World wanted to hear … "Let me say this as clearly as I can: United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam." It could not be more emphatic than that.
Was at War & No Longer Is
| Obama did not include an assertion that the United States was never at war with Islam. |
As a caveat, it must be noted that he did not include an assertion that the United States was never at war with Islam. Perhaps he recognizes that given the policies pursued by the Bush Administration such a claim would not have been credible to a Muslim audience.
His entire speech was designed to signal that America has changed. The new America is not at war with Islam and is extending a hand of friendship and seeks cooperation and understanding with the Muslim World. He reiterated his commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East conflict and reminded the audience of his new approach to Iran.
Two assertions in his speech are very significant and I recommend that Muslim nations take them on face value and work with President Obama to make them a reality. First, he asserted that relations with the Muslim World cannot and will not be based only on opposition to terrorism, recognizing that need for broader and deeper engagement. He even sought to articulate a few areas, such as education, development, health care, where America and the Muslim world could work together for better futures for their peoples.
Secondly, his remarks on the use of force were so refreshing. He said: "But force alone cannot solve our problems, and it is no alternative to extremism. The future must belong to those who create, not those who destroy. That is the future we must work for, and we must work for it together." He at once repudiated the violence coming from extremists and also the use of force by Western powers recognizing that violence does not construct anything. It can be of paramount significance if the United States adheres to this philosophy in its policies. Can it in practice replace the mantra "force is always on the table" with "force is not an option"?
| Can the Unites States in practice replace the mantra "force is always on the table" with "force is not an option"? |
Obama brought all his chips to the table and bet them all. He even talked about the fact that he has Muslim family members, like many Americans, and suggested that this shared relations is another reason for better relations between America and the Muslim World.
Frankly, I cannot imagine him saying more without compromising America's legitimate interests and his own political future. He has extended a long and firm hand of friendship to the Muslim World. The ball is now in the Muslim court.
Note: At the time this article was written, the Obama administration was preparing the US Congress for a possible confrontation with Israel over Israeli Prime Minister's possible refusal to act on Israel's commitments to the peace process. This is indicative that Barack Obama is not just a man of beautiful of words he is also determined to act.
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