The JJW Blog

Obama’s Speech in Cairo

Here are a few excerpts that I liked from Obama’s speech with a link to the full transcript at the bottom:

This was a remarkbly thoughtful insight at the beginning, namely that we must air our differences, not see each other with such taboo:

“No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do – to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.”

I loved the 2 references to our Founding Fathers (see this great book on religious freedom which also mentions them):

“In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.”

“And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.”

This is wise:

“And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.”

This quote has received a lot of attention.  I love the statement defining religious freedom as the ability to practice or not practice religion:

“Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.”

The Obama doctrine?

“Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail.”

Much later on the Israeli-Palestinian relationship, this statement gives me pause.  Didn’t the US gain its own independence through violence?

“Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding.”

Here Obama uses an Islamic blessing on Jesus!  Take that Jesus:

“Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”

God, why couldn’t this guy have been president in lieu of Bush?

“The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.

I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.”

But he recasts the discussion in terms of human rights:

“America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.  But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.”

Notice that as he begins his next point here, he doesn’t launch into preaching but starts with a compliment, which is simply good diplomacy and the way to make friends.

“The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition.”

I can’t tell you how much I believe this after reading the afore-mentioned book:

“Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.”

As he moves onto women’s rights he at also starts with a bridging statement, acknowledging that women who cover their heads are not automatically less equal, but then immediately confronting the issue of women not being educated.

“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.

I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

Moving onto economic opportunity.  Oh poor Obama, what a legacy burden he works under for this is a big understatement.

“And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.”

If you read the speech around here you may be struck that Obama has been talking about women’s rights, economic opportunities, and science and technology and very little about the American war of terror.  What alternate world is this?

And now an ending plea the way only Obama can make it.  This is all absolutely beautiful:

“All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”

The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”

The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you.”

For the full text see: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html?em