April 7, 2009
By Arsalan Iftikhar
Special to CNN
Editor’s Note: Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer, founder of TheMuslimGuy.com and contributing editor for Islamica magazine in Washington.
(CNN) — During his visit to Turkey, President Obama sought to officially reach out to the Islamic world after eight years of tension by declaring in a speech to the Turkish Parliament that he is determined to have a lasting “partnership with the Muslim world.”
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not — and will never be — at war with Islam,” President Obama said toward the conclusion of his remarks delivered in Ankara to Turkish members of Parliament on Monday.
In his true Chicago political style, he even added a little treat for NBA fans in Turkey and Europe: “As a basketball fan, I’ve even noticed that Hedo Turkoglu and Mehmet Okur have got some pretty good game….”
One of the most moving passages in his speech was: “We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding and seek common ground.
We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. And we will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over so many centuries to shape the world for the better — including my own country. The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country — I know, because I am one of them.”
Continue Reading Arsalan’s April 2009 CNN Column Here…
