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June 4, 2009
On June 4, the President gave a speech in Cairo, Egypt, entitled “A New Beginning,” outlining his personal commitment to engagement with the Muslim world, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect, and discussed how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them. The speech was delivered at Al-Azhur University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the Muslim world, which includes over one billion believers around the globe. The President stated that, “I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim world based upon mutual interest and mutual respect…. We must act with the understanding that the challenges faced by people around the world are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.” President Obama described the role of positive role of Muslims through U.S. history and outlined the readiness of the United States to work with Muslim communities in countries around the world to improve economic, social, and educational conditions.
(Obama Calls for a New Beginning with Muslims Around the World - America.gov)(transcript of Barack Obama's speech)
