US PRESIDENT Barack Obama today called for a "new beginning between the US and Muslims" and said together they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the search for peace in the Middle East.
"This cycle of suspicion and discord must end," he said in a widely anticipated speech in Egypt, an address designed to change relations after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq.
In a gesture, Mr Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension "has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations."
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Full text: Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world"And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the US to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear," he said.
At the same time, he said the same principle must apply in reverse. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."
Mr Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe.
The speech was the centrepiece of his journey, and while its tone was striking, the president also covered the Middle East peace process, Iran, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the violence struggle waged by al-Qaida.
Mr Obama arrived in the Middle East yesterday greeted by a new and threatening message from al Qaida leader, Osama bin Laden. In an audio recording, the terrorist leader said the president inflamed the Muslim world by ordering Pakistan to crack down on militants in Swat Valley and block Islamic law there.
But the president said the actions of violent extremist Muslims are "irreconcilable with the rights of human beings," and quoted the Koran to make his point.
"Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace," he said.
The White House said Mr Obama's speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East, and he issued an even-handed call to Israel and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.
"Hamas must put an end to violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel's right to exist," he said of the organisation the United States deems as terrorists.
"The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people," Mr Obama said.
"At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements" on the West Bank and outskirts of Jerusalem, he said. "It is time for these settlements to stop."
As for Jerusalem itself, he said it should be a "secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims ..."
Mr Obama also said the Arab nations should no longer use the conflict with Israel to distract its own people from other problems.
He trod lightly on one issue that President George Bush had made a centrepiece of his second term – the spread of democracy.
Mr Obama said he has a commitment to governments "that reflect the will of the people." And yet, he said, "No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other."
OBAMA ON...
IRANMr Obama said the United States will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve when dealing with Iran.
He acknowledged the US role in overthrowing the democratically elected Iranian government during the last century and said it would be difficult to overcome decades of mistrust.
But he said he has made clear to Iran's leaders that he wants to move forward and build a future together.
Mr Obama said the United States was willing to move forward with mutual respect and without preconditions and that approach would prevent a nuclear arms race in the region.
He said no single nation should decide which countries have nuclear weapons.
MIDDLE EASTIsraelis and Palestinians must find a way to live side by side, peacefully as two independent states, Mr Obama said, arguing that this solution ultimately was the only way to end bloodshed and violence.
He recognised the long US alliance with Israel, calling the bond "unbreakable." But he also said "the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable."
He said America would support any efforts by any parties that recognise the legitimate aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians. He added that the "United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements."
And he called on Palestinians, particularly the Hamas faction, to "abandon violence" and recognise Israel's right to exist.
THE KORANMr Obama's speech was laced with references to the Koran and his Muslim roots.
He quoted the Holy Koran as commanding, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." He said he shared that conviction. The president noted that while he is a Christian, his father had come from a Kenyan family that "includes generations of Muslims."
He pointed to a Muslim – Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat – as the first to be elected to Congress, saying he took the oath the Koran that Thomas Jefferson had kept in his personal library.
Mr Obama also quoted from the Bible and the Jewish Talmud in making his argument for better relations between the US and the Muslim world.
WAR AND PEACEThe United States has no intention of keeping its troops in Afghanistan and America seeks no permanent military bases there, Mr Obama said.
He called it costly and politically difficult to continue the conflict, but said there were still violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill Americans.
He stressed that the US would not weaken its commitment to rooting out terrorists, adding that military might must be paired with diplomatic efforts.
Mr Obama also discussed Iraq saying that the United States learned from that war that America needs to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve problems whenever possible.
WOMEN AND ISLAMPresident Obama said women should have the right to choose whether they want to be equal with men.
He said he did not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal. And he said he respects women who choose traditional roles, but women should have that choice.
Mr Obama promised that the United States will partner with Muslim countries to support expanded literacy for girls and will help young women pursue jobs through a micro-financing programme.
