Back words with action, Muslims now tell Obama

President Barack Obama’s call for a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim world was received cautiously by Muslim leaders in Kenya. Although the clerics welcomed Mr Obama’s overtures, delivered in a lengthy speech at Cairo University on Thursday, some expressed guarded optimism, insisting that his words must be backed by actions and clear policy changes from Washington.

Speaking on his maiden tour of Africa, the US leader called on the Muslim world to drop the “negative stereotype” that America is at war with Islam. “I consider it part of my responsibility, as President of the United States, to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear,” Mr Obama said.

“But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. “America is not and never will be at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject — the killing of innocent men, women, and children.”

Spicing his speech with the words such as Asalaam alaykum, a common Muslim greeting signifying peaceful intent, the US leader extended America’s calls for peace to the Muslim world. But the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) deputy national chairman, Mr Abdullahi Kiptanui, asked Mr Obama to back his words with actions.

“He should lead by example by removing American forces from Iraq so that Iraqi people can determine their own destiny without US interference,” Mr Kiptanui said and challenged Mr Obama to denounce America’s support for Israeli’s occupation of Palestinian land, saying it was a major cause of the bad blood and mutual suspicion between Washington and Muslims worldwide.

“For as long as America continues taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Muslims across the world will never take them seriously,” he said. The national coordinator of the National Muslim Leaders Forum, Mr Abdullahi Abdi, also welcomed the American leader’s overtures to the Muslim world.

Candid speech

“It was a very candid speech delivered in a very eloquent manner. I would say it offers a good beginning in the relations between America and the Muslim world, but we need to see his words translated into action through a clear policy shift on the part of America,” said Mr Abdi.

However, he urged Muslims all over the world to embrace Mr Obama’s gesture and work towards a harmonious existence between Muslims and other religions. “He has opened the doors for dialogue and I hope the Muslim world will give him the benefit of the doubt and work towards better relations with the US.”

But the executive coordinator of the Muslim Human Rights Forum, Mr Al-Amin Kimathi, dismissed Mr Obama’s calls as “hot air”. “There was clearly no policy pronouncements in President Obama’s speech, which renders it meaningless. We had hoped he would denounce Israeli occupation of Palestinian land because it is at the heart of the bad blood between America and the Muslim world,” he said.

He also challenged the Kenyan Government to uphold the rights of Muslims instead of acting to “please the US.” Speaking to the world’s more than 1 billion Muslims from Cairo, Obama pledged to pursue Palestinian statehood and said US troops did not want to stay in Iraq or Afghanistan forever. He also offered mutual respect in dealings with America’s long-time foe, Iran.

His keynote speech, occasionally interrupted by shouts of “we love you,” was welcomed by some for its fresh tone after President George W. Bush’s departure even as others expressed frustration that Mr Obama did not outline specific steps to change US policy.

“We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world — tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate,” Mr Obama said in the address that included quoting Islam’s holy book, the Koran.

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect.” Highlighting hostility the US leader faces from some quarters, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, in a message on a website, warned Muslims against alliance with Christians and Jews, saying it would annul their faith.

It was the second communication from Osama in as many days aimed at upstaging Mr Obama’s speech. The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in an speech before Mr Obama spoke that America was “deeply hated” and only action, not slogans, could change that. Mr Obama affirmed his commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

World’s interest

He stated: “That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires.” The US president also said Iran should have access to peaceful atomic power, but it must adhere to nuclear non-proliferation.

“This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.” Mr Khalil al-Anani, a political analyst at Egypt’s al-Ahram Foundation, said: “This speech was inspiring and I think many people will welcome it.” Additional reporting by Reuters