On Ramadan, more U.S. outreach to Muslims
President Barack Obama is taking advantage of the start of Ramadan on Saturday to make another overture to the Muslim world. In a holiday message now on the White House Web site, he wishes Muslims Ramadan Kareem, and then details U.S. efforts to engage Muslims in much the same language that he used during his address in Cairo in June.
“Beyond America’s borders, we are … committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure,” Obama says in the new message. “That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. ...
“All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world.”
The complete transcript follows, after the jump.
On behalf of the American people – including Muslim communities in all fifty states – I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.
Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.
Like many people of different faiths who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time – a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared. But I also know that Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and perform tarawih prayers at night, reciting and listening to the entire Koran over the course of the month.
These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.
For instance, fasting is a concept shared by many faiths – including my own Christian faith – as a way to bring people closer to God, and to those among us who cannot take their next meal for granted. And the support that Muslims provide to others recalls our responsibility to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.
This summer, people across America have served in their communities – educating children, caring for the sick, and extending a hand to those who have fallen on hard times. Faith-based organizations, including many Islamic organizations, have been at the forefront in participating in this summer of service. And in these challenging times, this is a spirit of responsibility that we must sustain in the months and years to come.
Beyond America’s borders, we are also committed to keeping our responsibility to build a world that is more peaceful and secure. That is why we are responsibly ending the war in Iraq. That is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law.
All of these efforts are a part of America’s commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect. And at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world.
Comments
I'm glad Obama continues to make an effort to reach out to the Muslim world and explore peaceful solutions as opposed to quick/violent methods. I think speeches such as these will hopefully go a long way (although it is a small step) to bettering relations.
Posted by: Ray | August 21, 2009 8:46 PM
Not all Muslims are terrorists,
but 99% of all terrorists are Muslim...
Posted by: flyingcow | August 22, 2009 7:16 AM
It is obvious Mr. Obama's heart is not with Christ. Will he give an Easter message reaching out to Christians? Terrorists are having a good hearty belly laugh.
Posted by: Clay | August 22, 2009 2:17 PM
President Obama's message to the Muslim world should also encourage the oppressed populations of the Muslim world to stand up against dictatorial regimes and laws that openly discriminate against women and minorities. Mr. Obama must put pressure on the Saudi King to abandon the madness of the Wahabbi brand of Islam and embrace freedom of religion and free speech. He should not be accommodating autocrats like President Mubarek who has been busy building a kingship by using America's peace dividend of 1.3 billion dollars every year for making peace with Israel.
Mubarek has transformed Egypt into a one party state controlled by the Army & his cronies and where the clerics are being encouraged to counter legitimate movement for democracy and rights of Christian minorities.
USA must make it a requirement that any future aid to Muslim countries will be dependent on their form of government and human rights record. Constitutions of Muslim countries embracing Sharia laws that make Islamic laws supreme invariably end up violating the rights of most ordinary citizens.
Such constitutions are currently being, amended, to include compliance with Islamic laws and making Islamic laws as supreme in Iraq & Afghanistan. Focus on Islamic laws keeps the clerics occupied murdering each other while those in power steal public funds.
Posted by: shaukat malik | August 25, 2009 11:57 AM
Subject Peace and Prosperity
Dear President Barrack Obama
The Great Leader of the World
I Agha Dilbar have sent Mr. President 100 registered research Letters (1000 new ideas to develop America and to Change the World for Peace and Prosperity) through Embassy of USA Islamabad till today and also direct sent these registered Letters to Whitehouse Washington DC 20500.These letters have been written on the guidelines of CHANGE WE NEED. And these letters are about the Common Men Problems of respected American Peoples and their Solutions. To end, Economic Recession, Unemployment and to Finish War, all round the World for Peace and Prosperity. In these letters I have sent one thousand new scientific Planning /Suggestions, about every walk of life for Peace through Friendship Progress and Prosperity all over the World.
Dear Barrack Obama, the Great Leader of the World, my Friend, my Brother, Provide
an opportunity to Agha Dilbar to pay an Official Visit to America, that we two brothers can sit together and by halting this horrible war(In this war 1-million peoples have died from 9/11 till today, if this war continues, it will become the 111- World War.200-Million people would die, if 111-World War is triggered) can take out 6.5 billion people of the World from abyss of destruction and then put them on the road to Progress and Prosperity.
Dear President Barrack Obama considers, from 9/11 till today, America has conducted
many war operations in connection with War on Terror, resulting the circle of war has spread hundred times. Millions innocent persons have died. Many
More have been rendered homeless. One Lak (10000) war affected youth joined the army of Al-Qaida and Talban by the help of anti American countries have begun gorilla war in a horrible manner. It is the result of wrong war strategy. I Agha Dilbar desire to solve all above mentioned problems in a meeting with President Barrack Obama by adopting new revolutionary planning by bringing an end to present gorilla war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the result the World can enter in a peaceful, advanced and progressive world, May it be so.
I Agha Dilbar have a new War Strategy to achieve success through Table Talk between Talban, Pakistan and American Govts. 90% of Talban that are fighting against Pak Army belong from Swat and Tribal Areas of NWFP. I can provide America all realistic facts in such manner that their implementation could convert these Talban into Patriotic Citizens of Pakistan. In this War Strategy Pakistan Gov will never send his Heavy Artillery, Tanks, Cannons and Air craft in war. In this way 5-million persons will never Displaced. In the end Talban by their will handover, their Weapons to Pakistan Gov, they will come to Table Talk and Suicide Bombing will come to an end in Pakistan. Through this War Strategy Pakistani and American Govts can save expenses
on war. Through this planning American and Pakistani Govts can utilize their saving on war budgets for development of Schools, Hospitals, Colonies, Markets, Roads, Bridges, Dams, Canals and Industries of Swat and Tribal Areas of NWFP that are war affected. On account of present war strategy, Billion Dollars are being wasted yearly.
This war can cause Fall of America instead of continuation of war, my best suggestion for America must keep his Supper Power on the World and should conquer the World instead of war, but by his No-1 scientific technology spending on agricular, trade, education, scientific development and tourisim,all round the World. Making an end to Economic Crisis in America.
A new Global Package is being offered for your kind honour.America will have to make complete and final announcement that in future all Multinational American Companies to get free land on 20-years lease and will set up under the BOOT agreement (in undeveloped and poor countries) factories, mills five star hotels, schools, colleges, universties, hospitals, air companies, shipping companies, latest railway, bus transport and steel mills. All these companies will be bound to handover without any cost to to underdeloped and poor countries well as their machinery and transport after 20-yaars. A new suggestion in connection with Global Peace is offered that in return of export American Agriculture and Industrial Products, will give his 50% prophet to the exporting countries and utilize as Aid on the development of agriculture, industry, trade, education and tourisim.This suggestion, macking an end to American Economic Crisis and get full support to enhance his Foreign Public Relations. May it be so?
To make successful American Foreign Policy on Global Level the following planning
is put before:
a) America will have to provide free scholar ships at least to ten top master students (in each country) of medical and science in underdeveloped and poor countries of the world.
b) Highly educated and well trained one hundred cultural groups (each group contains 100 persons) will have to arrange one hundred cultural shows for three months in big cities of underdeveloped and poor countries.
c) America will have to arrange exhibitions through his Embassies for his latest products, in the underdeveloped and poor countries .All these mentioned above industrial exhibitions will be arranged continuously for two months. In the above mentioned exhibitions present products will be sold except export order booking. In mentioned above exhibitions, American Cultural Programmed show will have to arrange and American Traditional Dishes will be kept for sale. In these exhibitions American Tourism Stalls will also be set of.
A new revolutionary planning is being submitted for facing unemployment and economic crisis in USA.
The federal gov of USA must bring its action for increasing agriculture production and eradication of dearness, following project.
1) The gov will announce positively the relief on incometex, 25% reduction on. Rates of electricity and petrol.
2) In USA latest industrial zones should be established for national and foreign investors. In such zones industrial plots developed in ranging 10-kanals to 100-kanals.
3) Latest agriculture forms and fruit forms should be established in USA.
4) Latest poultry forms and animal forms should be established in USA.
5) Feed mills should be established in USA.
6) In USA latest sugar mills, textile mills and paper mills will be set up.
7) In USA latest shoes, tires and tubes factories should be established.
8) Latest industries for manufacturing cars truck loaders tractors will be established.
9) Latest industries for manufacturing for production of fertilizer and insecticide in USA.
10) Latest medicine laboratories must be established in USA.
11) Steel mills equipped with latest scientific technology must be set up.
12) Latest computer industry must be established.
13) Latest mobile industry must be established in USA.
14) Latest multipurpose engine industry should be established in USA.
15) Latest furniture industries should be established in USA.
16) Latest electronic and sanitary industries should be established in USA.
17) Latest super stores should be established in USA and in such super stores all articles, small and large scale must be sold on the prophet of 10% only.
Following rules and regulations will be undertaken for the progress and prosperity of American students.
a) Among matric, fsc, bsc, engering.mbbs, llb, ca and diploma holders in all institutions, all those receiving degrees at the state level, ten each from girls and boys by cash prizes will be announced on behalf of the gov during invitation on lunch.
b) For above mentioned top ten intelligent students boys and girls each, tours for different historical and healthy sites will be arranged free of cast.
c) Talent schools of international level will be set up over the country at the district level, in which students of extra-ordinary sports talent taught from class one to fsc level.
d) American states gov will announce free transport, free lunch during education to all school, college and university students.
I Agha Dilbar have sent Ten Million research Peace Letters to International Community from 9/11 incident till today. This letter is my Great Peace Mission plan which is continued. Present Global Economic Crisis is the result of War on Terror. This Crisis if further accelerates could initiate a 111-World War. Please hear my Voice of Truth; I can save the World, for my Great Peace Mission, with the help of President Barrack Obama, Peace and Prosperity.
Mr. Barracka Obama you are not only the Leader of America, you are Great Leader of the World. In this connection I am waiting for your Email response, dated 2.10.2009.
Please Confirm.
Thank you, God blesses you and God bless America.
Agha Dilbar (founder)
International Revolution Movement
64-neelum block ait Lahore (Pakistan)
Phone 0092427830084
Cell 03224628349
Email aghadilbar4@gmail.com
This Open Letter has been sent One Lak (100000) to International Community for the welfare of Humanity till today. I Agha Dilbar authorize Newspapers, Magazines, Internet, to Publish and Radio, T.V. Channels to broadcast this letter all round the World
Posted by: agha dilbar gardezi | October 14, 2009 3:27 AM