In his landmark speech at Cairo in June US President Barack Obama spelled out his plans and his vision of the world.

He said: “...we seek a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek.”

It would be observed that almost all these aspirations involve engagement with Muslim peoples, in particular the Arabs. Which is why the US president chose Cairo, known for its seats of learning and scholarship in the world of Islam, for his important speech.

Obama’s speech marks a new initiative by the US for resolution of the Middle East crisis. It was not altogether unexpected. After eight wasted years of Bush presidency a change in the US policy looked inevitable and was eagerly awaited by the Arabs and the rest of the Muslim world. The stalemate in Iraq and Afghanistan also demanded a new thinking.

Viewed in this background President Obama’s speech could well mark a new chapter in the US relations with the Muslim world, saying good bye to theories like the clash of civilizations.

Obama quoted from the Holy Quran and spoke highly of civilization’s debt to Islam and Muslims’ contribution to knowledge which paved the way to renaissance in Europe and the age of enlightenment. He also mentioned Islam’s tradition of tolerance and said issues like violent extremism are to be confronted together. Earlier at Ankara he declared that ‘America is not and will never be at war with Islam’, and wished ‘all the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together’.

After this preface  the US President said: “I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and the Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest  and mutual respect  and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not  be in competition.”

President Obama gave first priority to fight against violent extremism, then the situation in Afghanistan and finally the all important issue of Palestine. However, there was a significant omission of the Kashmir issue, obviously due to the strong influence of the pro India lobby in the US.

On the issue of Palestine, President Obama has been quite frank and explicit. He declared, “America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known… This bond is unbreakable.” Nevertheless, he was equally supportive of the Palestinians rights. He said it is also undeniable that the Palestinians people, Muslims and Christians, have suffered in the pursuit of a homeland. “So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and state of their own.”

He has criticized Hamas for violence but at the same time he has also taken exception to the continued Israeli settlements.

There are huge differences between the positions of the two sides which are to be ironed out. But President Obama has broken the ice and shown the way forward towards the resumption of the stalled Middle East peace efforts. He has welcomed initiatives like King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership’s Alliance of Civilization.

The ball is now in our court. Let the leaders of the Muslim world respond to President Obama’s gesture.

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