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"He will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them," Gibbs said. (Reuters) |
WASHINGTON — With the clock ticking for his much-awaited speech to the Muslim world next week, US President Barack Obama will offer 'personal commitment' to improve strained relations with Muslims worldwide.
"The speech will outline his personal commitment to engagement, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, reported Agence France Presse (AFP).
"He will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them."
Obama will arrive in Egypt, home to Al-Azhar, the highest seat of learning in the Sunni Muslim world, on June 4, to address the US-Muslim relations.
The American leader would deliver his long-promised speech from the prestigious Cairo University before visiting Al-Azhar University.
He will also hold talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who cancelled a visit to Washington earlier this week because of his grandson's death.
Obama's speech is the latest effort by the American leader to repair the strained US relations with the Muslim world.
"It's in need of substantial improvement," Gibbs said.
Last month, Obama delighted Muslims after seizing upon his visit to Turkey, the first visit to a Muslim country since he came to office, to state that the US is not in war with Islam.
America's relations with the Muslim and Arab world hit all-time low under Obama's predecessor George W. Bush over his so-called "war on terror", which saw the invasion of two Muslim countries; Afghanistan and Iraq.
A series of detainees abuse scandals in Afghanistan, Iraq and the notorious Guantanamo detention camp also fanned anti-Americanism across the globe, but particularly in Muslim countries.
Mideast Peace
Obama's speech will also touch on the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"He will review particular issues of concern, such as violent extremism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Gibbs said.
"He will discuss new areas for partnership going forward that serve the mutual interests of our people."
Speculations have been building on that Obama would unveil a new Middle East peace plan during his speech.
Jordanian King Abdullah has earlier said that the Obama administration was working on a comprehensive approach to the Arab-Israeli conflict offering Israel recognition by Arab and Muslim countries in exchange for talks on all peace tracks.
Obama has mounted pressures on Israel to halt settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian lands to help advance the moribund peace talks.
"He doesn't hesitate to take on the tough issues in his speech, just harkening back to his Senate career when he delivered a very, very powerful message on corruption in Kenya," said Obama's foreign policy adviser Mark Lippert.
"He continually raises these issues here with leaders when they come through both in private and through public statements, as well."
Calls have been mounting for Obama to address the issues of democracy and human rights in Egypt during his visit.
Asked whether Obama would meet with Egyptian political dissidents during his visit, aides said people from across the political spectrum would be invited to the speech.
"You have a President who's not afraid to engage on very tough, tough issues," Lippert said.
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