Obama's Outreach to the Muslim World

I've not seen or heard the speech; I've only read the news reports. That said, from what I've read, I think that Barack Obama took a bold step toward building a new foundation for relations between America and the Muslim world. In a speech and in a town hall in Ankara, Turkey, Obama made it clear that America is not at war with Islam and that terrorism cannot and will not define that relationship.

“America’s relationship with the Muslim community, the Muslim world, cannot and will not just be based upon opposition to terrorism,” he said. “We seek broader engagement based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.”

He reiterated his support for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, repudiating the statements by Right Wing Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman that the Annapolis accords have no validity.

By standing in a Muslim capital and declaring boldly that he has Muslim family members, should help set a new tone.

“The United States has been enriched by Muslim-Americans,” he said. “Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country.

“I know,” he said, “because I am one of them.”

Yes, American right wingers will take this and run with it -- but they must not define how we relate to the world. I saw, let them do their thing, but I hope and believe that the American people will say no to war mongering and hate mongering.

Oh, and according to the NY Times article, this isn't the promised major speech from a Muslim capital -- just a foretaste!