奥巴马希望与伊斯兰世界的新发展

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Now, you are talking about the audience here of 3,000, this speech is really about “reach”. This is going to 56 Muslim countries, the 1.8 million or so, billion or so. Muslims are paying attention to this. And it has been very comprehensive. This is going to be a speech that is going to be talked about for a long time both in terms of what was said and what was not said. The President has outlined basically seven major points which covers everything that has to do with American and Muslim and Arab relations. It has been very comprehensive and very thoughtful and historic. We have some excerpts for you from the speech. Take a listen.

I’ve come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world. I do so recognizing the change cannot happen overnight. I know there has been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust. I made clear that America is not and never will be at war with Islam.

We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable. But in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.

Now, the second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. America’s strong bonds with Israel are well-known. This bond is unbreakable. On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people, Muslims and Christians have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.

Now that of course was the central issue that the Muslims are waiting to listen to in this speech about Palestine and Israel, what was the President’s ambition here? He kept and made the point early on, it was not just about one speech, but was a very big moment for Muslims.