Saturday, August 15, 2009

Some of President Obama Speech in Cairo 06/2009

As I am going to Egypt in 09/2009 I have to remind the Americans and Egyptians of this great speech. I will start when president Obama ended to make the words reality and the speech a true inspiration. I hope the Americans are true this time, do you remember when the Shia and Kurd were encouraged to have the upraise against Saddam then the Americans left Saddam to destroy them. We are depending on Americans at least not to stand in our freedom. I have the power to convince my people to stand with me.

President Obama:

We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world -- tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate.

Therelationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars.

More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War inwhich Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.

Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other 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." (Applause.)

I'm a Christian, but myfather came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, Ispent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn andat the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

Justas Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a selfinterested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire.

We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggledfor centuries to give meaning to those words -- within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum -- "Out of many, one."Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President.

Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and ourfailure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all areat risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for allnations.

So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared.

The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sidesto be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace andsecurity. That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires.

I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve.

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 by one nation by any other.That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of thepeople.

Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditionsof its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just aswe 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 mindand 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. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.

Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure.Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.

So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party.

People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith basedupon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential forreligion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by therejection of somebody else's faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld --whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.

I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover herhair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. (Applause.) And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

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's easier to start wars than to end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward.It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But weshould choose the right path, not just the easy path. There's 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'tblack 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 hearts of billions around the world. 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 wehave 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 ofGod." (Applause.)The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Nowthat must be our work here on Earth.Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you.(Applause.)

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