In what has the potential to be a transformative historical moment,
President Barack Obama called for "a new beginning between the United States
and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual
respect." While acknowledging the ups and downs of Muslim-West relations,
periods of co-existence and cooperation as well as conflict and religious
wars, he challenged both America and Muslims globally not to fixate on
differences but on building a new way forward based on our common humanity,
shared values and interests.
Obama's address reveals his awareness
of the findings of major polls, like the Gallup World Poll (see
Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really
Think) - that the deep differences that divide are about respect
for Islam and the value of Muslim lives and about American foreign policy,
not religion or a clash of civilizations. Obama demonstrated a desire to
address and redress political concerns and grievances in hot spots, ranging
from Palestine and Iraq to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. He emphasized the
need for diplomacy over military responses: his plans to pull out of Iraq
and to use temporary military power in Afghanistan in coalition with some
forty six countries. Most importantly, Obama promised aid for economic and
educational development to assist Pakistanis and Afghans.
Equally important, the president was crystal clear in communicating
his respect for Islam and Muslims, "partnership between America and Islam
must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of
my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against
negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." He singled out Muslims
past accomplishments as well as Islam's place in America: "Islam has always
been a part of America's story.... And since our founding, American Muslims
have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in
government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our
Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our
tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch." While the president indicated
an awareness of the problems of discrimination that some American Muslims
have faced and still face, much more must be done to address the impact of
Patriot Act and Secret Evidence on the civil liberties of Muslims and its
devastating affect on families.
Obama was equally direct and candid
with his Muslim audience, speaking out against crude stereotyping of America
as a self-interested empire and addressed multiple issues: religious
freedom, Christians in the Arab world, anti-Semitism, women's status,
religious extremism, political authoritarianism and human rights. He
balanced his critique and prescription with respect and the need for
partnership, not unilateral action, in building a new way forward.
On perhaps the most difficult issue, Palestine - Israel, Obama identified
the heart of the problem: the equal and competing claims and aspirations of
two peoples with very different narratives. He balanced his emphasis on
America's unbreakable bond with Israel by recognizing the tragic plight of
both Muslim and Christian Palestinian the pain of dislocation from their
"homeland" and "occupation" with its daily humiliations. Characterizing the
Palestinian situation as intolerable, he declared: "America will not turn
our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity,
and a state of their own."
But the real challenge will be moving
both sides forward. To do this, the U.S. administration will need to
acknowledge that not only the Palestinians but also Israelis are guilty of
acts of illegitimate violence and terror. Just as there cannot be real peace
unless the Palestinians recognize Israel's right to exist and be secure,
there cannot be a peaceful and secure Palestine unless the current Israeli
government retracts any notion of a "Greater Israel," recognizes U.N.
resolutions regarding the return to pre-1967 borders. This means not just
freezing but rolling back illegal settlements.
A remarkable and
potentially far reaching statement missed my many, the strongest of an
American president in many years, is Obama's recognition that Jerusalem
belongs to all three Abrahamic faiths: "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 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."
Like
previous American presidents, Obama faces a critical issue of how to work
with authoritarian Arab and Muslim regimes while also supporting calls by
secular and mainstream Islamist leaders in Egypt and across the Muslim world
for greater power sharing. Obama underscored the responsibility of Arab and
Muslim rulers and leaders for developing more democratic societies: giving
people a say in how they are governed, confidence in the equal
administration of justice, to have governments that don't steal from them,
and the freedom to live as they choose. He stressed that this is not because
they are American ideas but fundamental human rights. How his
administration's policies will reconcile support for Muslim autocrats with
the democratic aspirations of their populations remains to be seen.
Obama's Cairo address, in what may prove to be an historic event, was a
major step forward in changing the course of American-Muslim relations. It
is a big a step on a path which, as he acknowledges, will take years and
present challenges to multiple and diverse audiences. It spoke first and
foremost to Muslim communities but also to all Americans. His message on the
need for a new beginning, marked by recognizing not only our differences,
past and present, but also our interdependence, shared values and common
interests represents a new mindset and paradigm for U.S.-Muslim World
relations.
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John Esposito is Director of the Center for Muslim-Christian
Understanding at Georgetown University and co-author of Who Speaks for
Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think. He is also on the Board of
Advisors for ISPU.
This article orignally appeared in
the Washington Post online on 6/5/09 at
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/john_esposito/2009/06/a_paradigm_to_jump-start_us_-_muslim_relations.html
