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Obama reaches out to Muslims

 
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Published: June 5, 2009    Comment on this article Leave a comment

CAIRO — "Assalamu aleikum,” the president of the United States said.

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AT A GLANCE
What Obama said in speech

→The president called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims” and said together, they could confront violent extremism and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East.

→He said American ties with Israel are unbreakable, yet insisted Palestinians must have a state and said continued Israeli settlement in the West Bank is not legitimate.

→He assured that the U.S. would pull all its troops out of Iraq by 2012 and promised no permanent U.S. presence in Afghanistan.

→He treaded lightly on the spread of democracy. Obama said he has a commitment to governments "that reflect the will of the people.” And yet, he said, "No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation.”

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"We love you,” cried the crowd, sounding like partisans at a campaign rally in Chicago.

In such small ways, on a day rich with symbolism built from small things, President Barack Obama achieved a cultural communion between America and Islam that he wants to see writ large in the world.

His greeting of "assalamu aleikum” — peace be upon you — set the tone of a 55-minute speech at Cairo University on Thursday in which he invoked his middle name, Hussein, quoted from the Quran and spoke of his country’s common purpose with a religion he said Americans will never engage in war.

The reaction from typically antagonistic quarters was largely respectful. Some Islamic and Arab figures spoke of the change they are seeing.

But they’re not convinced it’s change they can believe in.

"There is a change between the language of President Obama and ... George Bush,” said Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas.

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Related Topics: Politics, U.S. Politics, War and Conflict, World Politics, Middle East Conflict, Iranian Politics, Israeli Politics, Middle East Politics, Government and Politics



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