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Obama's Message to Muslims: We Are Family
In an interview with an Arabic satellite TV network, Obama calls for "a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest."
In his first formal interview since taking office, President Barack Obama waged a charm offensive against the Arab and Muslim world yesterday, reminding viewers that members of his own family were Muslim—and calling for a new era in U.S. relations with the Muslim world.
Obama’s decision to give the interview to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya Pan Arab network so early in his presidency was in itself a signal that his administration was ready to begin a new dialogue. But throughout the interview, Obama emphasized a sharp departure from the approach of George W. Bush, saying his administration would focus on “listening,” rather than “dictating.”
Watch President Obama’s Interview with Al Arabiya
He also confirmed that he was planning to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital during his first 100 days in office. He would not offer details, but there are rumors that the speech will take place in Indonesia, where he spent part of his childhood.
Obama avoided granular specifics on policy, but reminded viewers that he would pursue a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and has already dispatched the newly appointed Middle East envoy George Mitchell to the region, to explore prospects for resuming peace negotiations. On his upcoming tour, Mitchell will be visiting Egypt, Israel, Ramallah (West Bank), in addition to Jordan, the UK and France.
Asked by Al Arabiya’s bureau chief Hisham Melhem about his plans for dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the crisis in Gaza, the president said he believed “the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people.” And that instead, “It's time to return to the negotiating table.”
Obama said he was “absolutely confident” that the US could make “significant progress” working in tandem with the European Union, Russia and all Arab states in the region, toward an Israeli-Palestinian peaceful settlement.
Obama recognized Saudi King Abdullah’s initiative for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, but he pointed out that it was “impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what’s happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated.”
Obama echoed his own inaugural speech and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Senate confirmation presentation, saying that “we are looking at the region as a whole, and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest.”
He also addressed terrorism directly, saying terrorist organizations were feeling nervous about his administration’s new approach to the Muslim world, because “their ideas are bankrupt. There are no actions that they’ve taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.”
He continued: “In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you've built, not what you've destroyed. And what they've been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction.”
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sobervoter
This diplomacy (if it is indeed a real tactic and not just soap box preaching from Obama and his administration) could be, in effect, a great saver of lives, time, resources, and money. Taming middle east issues may lead to a degree of ease on the military strain we are enveloped in. Diplomacy may increase the partnering and global support on foreign issues that we have lost over the previous 8 years. I do hope American citizens don't take Obamas proactive interview as weak, instead, as hopeful sign, a signal that America may be on its way back truly leading the free world.
AuthorDave
Finally, another president who IS a world leader! Once again I am proud to be an American.
finderj
President Obama very carefully said nothing of substance about what he would indeed do if Iran continues to attempt to develop/acquire nuclear weapons or if various other Muslin states continue to support and export terrorism. Nor did he comment on the cruelties inherent in Sha'ria law, most esepcially towards women and non-Muslim citizens. My Muslim friends are not terrorists or fanatics; they represent the best the Muslim world has to offer. If the best that the Muslim world has to offer runs Muslim countries, then indeed Amerca can and should negociate workable relationships with them. If, however, the worst that these countries and the Muslim faith has to offer runs thes countries, then, no, America should not and cannot negociate with them. Fanatics of any stripe are not reasonable, cannot be reasoned with, and mete out unreasonable treatement to all who do not do their will. As a nation, we should hope for the best, work to make it happen, and be prepared for the worst. You never needs a fire escape plan if you never have a fire, but if you do have a fire, a plan can save your life.
sparhawk14
I was a little surprised and frankly worried when I hear that President Obama granted his first interview to a foreign media outlet. I read the transcript, and I was impressed by the intelligent and thoughtful manner in which our President is approaching this very delicate situation. Hail to the Chief!
mikefromArlington
Those who failed to understand Obama's position throughout the primaries will continue to not understand his positions he takes.
One can only hope his message resonates with the moderate majorities of African, Arab and Indonesian Muslims enough to put pressure on those organizations and regimes that wish only to destroy. It's apparent what we've been doing in the last decade isn't working out too well. We are indeed in need of another approach.
splinter
Rhetoric is great - results are better. Teddy Roosevelt said: "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." Hopefully, our President is going down the path of Teddy Roosevelt and not that of Neville Chamberlain.
Annabella7
You know, it's just great to have a President who is tactful and specific with the English language for a change!
wcasey
WATCH THE BBC.MUSLIMS-ISLAMICS KILL SEVERAL PEOPLE EVERYDAY
CASEY PURVIS
Jessica150
Applause for Obama!
It's so rejevenating to see our President work toward increasing peace, as opposed to simply defending us from attack. I'd much rather people didn't want to attack us at all, and while I recognize that as a bit of a Pollyanna aspiration, I don't think it hurts to try.
jaclynde
yes!
My god...just think of how reversed things would be if McCain had been elected. Obama was so right when he said it is foolish to "punish countries by not talking with them." McCain would have totally just been confrontational and disrespectful...of course we should be tough on terrorist organizations...but 99% of the muslim world are good people who want education and health care for their families.
jaclynde
finderj, i do agree with you abt the human rights issues but it is up to them to change that...not us...that is why Iraq is so botched. The important thing is that we are civil and respectful.
Mary50
Well of course Muslims are family to all of us, and I agree that it is good that Obama speaks normally and directly, which is a welcome change from Bush. However, I don't think Obama is necessarily wildly different from Bush, he just speaks better. Obama has already dropped bombs on Pakistan in the past week and we still have no clue what he would do in a situation if the U.S. or Israel is attacked. But I do give him credit for being more civil, which any Democratic president would do and has done.
cougargal06
It's nice to see that Obama is trying to taking some steps to fix our domestic and internation problems. I hope that Congress with help shape a stimulus package that will actually benefit Americans in the long run and not just tie us over for a week or so. The war on terror will shift to the countries that are actually harboring terrorist instead of staying in a country that is now self-sufficient. Americans will get adequate health care and education, while we try to help change the image of our country for the rest of the world. One way of doing this is to help eliminate global poverty, domestic and foreign. The Borgen Project (www.borgenproject.org) has some interesting facts about global poverty and how reducing it will help our society. It would cost $19 billion to eliminate global poverty, which is extremely small compared ot the $522 billion the U.S. government spent on our defense budget last year. By eliminating global poverty we are setting ourselves up to have stronger allies or new ones, we open up the doors to new resources and help make our society safer to live in.
blbtampa
From my memory every President back to Nixon has attempted to negotiate peace in the Middle East. Clinton hoped to tag his legacy to it and Bush was scarred by muslins from many countries dancing in the streets and chanting Osama on 9/11/2001. That being said, I do believe that this President with the name of and life history of Barack Hussein Obama may have an opportunity that none of our previous presidents have had. This is truly an opportunity of hope and change. However, let us be wary of the goals of the muslin extremist and how much this new president is threatening those goals. Let us all keep this president and his lofty goals of peace and prosperity between our cultures in our prayers. But, let us all stay vigilant for his and our safety from those who prefer our death and revel in the terror they can create.
AndreainNY
Obama certainly sounded great. The tough part will not be in building bridges to the greater Muslim population. The tough part will be dealing with extremists. They are two very different audiences. Bush usually spoke to the latter.
I read somewhere that al Qaeda was very worried about Obama and his appeal to Muslims. We can probably expect them to do everything possible to tie his hands.
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