by Mark Silva
With a long-promised address to the Muslim world next week, the White House says, President Barack Obama plans to underscore the "mutual interests and mutual respect'' that the United States and Muslim communities around the world have.
Obama will stand before an audience Thursday at Cairo University, at an event cohosted by Al-Azhar University for his televised address, and also visit a mosque while he is in Cairo.
"President Obama's speech will be an important part of his engagement with the Muslim world, which began in his inaugural and has continued through venues such as his interview with Al Arabiya, his Nowruz message, and his speech and town hall in Turkey,' Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said during a briefing with reporters last night.
"The speech will outline his personal commitment to engagement, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect,'' Gibbs said. "He will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them. He will review particular issues of concern, such as violent extremism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And he will discuss new areas for partnership going forward that serve the mutual interests of our people.''
The president's journey will start Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a private meeting with King Abdullah.
"That obviously is also part of our outreach to the Muslim world,'' said Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, "but also an opportunity while he's in this vitally important region to discuss a range of important concerns from energy to Middle East peace to the fight against extremism.''
(Pictured above: Students on the campus of Cairo University, where President Barack Obama plans to address Muslim world. .Photo by Amr Nabil / AP)
While the United States and Egypt have had their differences, particularly on the question of political freedom in Egypt, the U.S. also counts on Cairo as an ally in the pursuit of Middle East peace.
"It's important to underscore that Egypt is a long-time strategic ally of the United States,'' McDonough said. "It's a key country in the Arab and Muslim world. It is a young -- like much of the Muslim world, itself is a young country with a burgeoning younger population that the president looked very much forward to engaging directly in this speech and in the meetings while he's there.''
Obama will head from Egypt to Germany, for a visit to the concentration camp, Buchenwald, to "underscore the terrible tragedy, the undeniable tragedy of the Holocaust,'' McDonough says. And he will end in France, commemorating the 65th anniversary of the landing at Normandy.
But the focal point of the trip is Cairo.
"Obviously the choice of the location... (is) underscoring the storied history and learnedness of Islam,'' McDonough says.
"The message the president wants to send is not different, frankly, than the one he's been sending since he was inaugurated, namely that we believe that this is an opportunity for us in the United States, who, frankly, have arrived at a place here based on many of the advances that come out of the Muslim world, be it science out of Baghdad, be it math and technology out of Al-Andalus or otherwise,'' he says "The fact is that we've had a great partnership over the course of many decades.
"We want to get back on a shared partnership, back in a conversation that focuses on the shared values, and that's what the president will talk about in Cairo.''
Asked about any meetings with dissidents while the president is in Eqypt, the White House says it has 'reached out'' to a "full range'' of political interests as it assembles an audience for the president's address at Cairo University, and Obama will seek time with the Egyptian press while he is there.
"With Mubarak, some of the traditional issues about the Middle East will be -- obviously will be front and center, and I think that the president, as he always does with leaders around the world, will not hesitate to bring up some of the important civil society issues, democracy issues, that he has brought up with the Chinese and others,'' said Mark Lippert, chief of staff for the National Security Council.
"What you can expect is a speech that really addresses the range of issues and interests and concerns that we have across this broad swath of the globe that is the Muslim world,'' McDonough says. "The fact is, that the president himself experienced Islam on three continents before he was able to -- or before he's been able to visit, really, the heart of the Islamic world -- you know, growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father -- obviously Muslim Americans a key part of Illinois and Chicago.
"And so it's going to address a range of issues... freedom and opportunity, prosperity.''
Comments
"Engagement" will work perfectly well with the people who don't need it to work.
As to the jihadists and Islamic fundamentalists, it won't have the slightest deterrent effect.
Posted by: Thin The Herd | May 30, 2009 11:02 AM
Why can't Obama be like the past administration and just bomb people who aren't old white men who belong to the Baptist church?
Posted by: BC | May 30, 2009 11:37 AM
Because Comrade cares so much about the muslims we should care?
Sounds like a personal issue to me.
Posted by: Tim | May 30, 2009 11:44 AM
On Friday Barack Obama and his administration quietly removed the rule that banned lobbyists from getting stimulus money. Now those porkulus dollars will go directly to the lobbyists Obama said would have no role in his White House throught his lying teeth on the campaign trail.
Video also was uncovered of voter intimidation in the now dismissed black panther party case. Dismissed by Obama's justice department AGAINST the wishes of career lawyers in the justice department.
What do these incidents have in common? The swamp and the tribune's Washington bureau ignored them. The sad sellout of a once proud news organization continues. I hope those Obama praise cover stories of yours sell a lot because you're turning off MILLIONS of potential readers with your slanted reporting.
Posted by: Jeff | May 30, 2009 12:11 PM
WOW... Us 'terrorist' free thinking republicans must look like Nostradamus now.
Now bow to your great leader liberals, Barry Soetro.
What an embarrassment to the US!
And NO I don't care what Europe and the rest of those baby wipes think about us. That's why were a sovereign nation.
Posted by: Nick | May 30, 2009 12:59 PM
More self-serving feel good from Husain. The Islamists and the rest of the tacit supporters will continue to blame the Wast and especially the U.S. for all of their troubles.
Barry ONLY gives them more staying power by wanting to "Engage.
Funny how "smart" Barry is. So smart that neither he nor his lack of experience staff UNDERSTAND "TAQIYYA". You know the lying allowed by Islam in the name of Jihad,to further ones religion
Funny that Barry the liar cannot recognize the lying of others. Oh well birds of a feather flock together.
Posted by: senator dirksen | May 30, 2009 1:07 PM
MUTUAL respect? There is no such thing in the world of Muslim fanatics. Assuming otherwise is beyond idiotic, and quite "Chamberlain-like" to the core. Besides, there is NO WAY I respect any idiot that would blow himself up for a god.
Posted by: clyde | May 30, 2009 1:17 PM
We will respect them when they treat women equally and stop killing people in the name of Allah. When the sexes are separated in the mosque and women are relagated to the back, when women have to hide their hair under scarves, when muslims blow themselves up in markets killing children and other innocents, then this religion has lost its way. Let us hear their mullahs talk of peace and sanity instead of jihad and death. Then maybe they will begin the road to respectability.
Posted by: chigirl | May 30, 2009 1:27 PM
Great! President Obama highlights mutual respect for Muslims, but he shows disdain for White American Men by nominating Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. Respect for foreign Muslims .... discrimination against poor White Americans.
Posted by: tom | May 30, 2009 2:19 PM
mutual respect? did you realy say that obama will emphasize mutual respect between us and the muslim world? ok then...how about mutual respect as far as the christians in darfour are concerned? after all they are africans that happen to be under islamic "mutual respect" rule, too sensitive subject, ok how about the christian copts who are opressed by the egyptians? how about some "mutual respect" for them? how about some mutual respect to iranian christians? iraqi christians? lebanese christians? or how about the armenians? do they deserve "mutual respect"? come on say it barack hussein...it's politics as usual. mutual respect my A-S-S
Posted by: hussein | May 30, 2009 2:34 PM
The Americans just elected Jimmah Cahtah, Jr. to the Presidency. While Obama is making nice-nice with the Muslims, the jihadis are getting ready to hit us again. How many American will die this time?
Posted by: Jorge | May 30, 2009 2:49 PM
Please, let him show respect for those he made promises to during the election. Now he is acting as if the Muslims are the only ones who deserve respect.
Posted by: merle lynn | May 30, 2009 3:03 PM
McDonough speaks like Sarah Palin. It's very hard to read.
I applaud the President's efforts.
Posted by: James | May 30, 2009 3:20 PM
More speeches showing Obama's weak leadership abilities to the Muslim community? Just what America needs as North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons! Mutual respect? Mutual interest? I think not. Unfortunately, the Muslims consider us, the U.S. a Judeo-Christian nation, infidels. There is no mutual interest period.
Posted by: Jo | May 30, 2009 3:41 PM
"Thin the Heard "is correct about the minority Muslim fundamentalist groups .They are lost cause, just like Christina fundamentalist in this country, that are crippling their own party. This step our President is taking will let the majority of Muslims in the world know that as a country, we are not out to wipe them out as our former president made it seem. We need to work twords peace. Once we get the majority of the world on our side, getting the Islamic fundamentalist under control will be way easier.
Posted by: martiniduck | May 30, 2009 3:53 PM
Chamberlain tried it with Hitler.
Posted by: crobb | May 30, 2009 4:08 PM
This Bozo is so far over his head. He is pathetic.
Posted by: BDD | May 30, 2009 5:15 PM
Ooh, I see there's lots of boys in their basements on the computers. You racist twits are dying off. Can't you just go quietly instead of whining and crying?
Posted by: Ronin | May 30, 2009 6:11 PM
Respect is for only herd mentality republicans!
Posted by: bill r. | May 30, 2009 6:25 PM
BC,
Why did Clinton bomb Iraq?
Posted by: Terry | May 30, 2009 7:21 PM
The wingnuts here are embarrassing. What do you ignoramuses expect Obama to do- announce tomorrow he is bombing all Muslim countries? This is why you wingnuts have no chance in 2010. You thought everyone thought like you in 2008, and you still don't get it.
Posted by: Disgusted | May 30, 2009 7:23 PM
Didn't he already address the muslim world during his inauguration speech?
Posted by: Pete | May 30, 2009 8:20 PM
"The wingnuts here are embarrassing. What do you ignoramuses expect Obama to do- announce tomorrow he is bombing all Muslim countries? This is why you wingnuts have no chance in 2010. You thought everyone thought like you in 2008, and you still don't get it."
Spoken like a true Obamabot. Believing that die hard Muslims want mutual respect is true ignorance.
YOU don't get it. Until all Infidels convert to the Muslim way, they will have no mutual respect.
Posted by: DebT | May 30, 2009 9:24 PM
Mr. President;
I assume you will be telling our brothers over there that the differences between us are caused by us, that it's basically our fault and that speaking for us all you are sorry
wrong
Posted by: Terry | May 30, 2009 9:37 PM
It has been a a long, long while since the last time I've checked The Swamp out. Scanning the story and the comments. WOW. At least under President FlightSimulator most of the retarded, I mean Republican, people commenting condemned Islamic fanatics. Under President Barry most of the people here, that can only be described as belonging to a newly created fourth party-- anti-Obama--, went twenty decades backward, behind the Republican marker to condemn not only having tea and crumpets with Islamo-head-chopping terrorists, but to condemn the President for trying to make nice with Muslim communities, ie moderates. Hell Bush did THE SAME exact thing Obama is doing. No, lets just wipe them all off the map. All billion of them.
Three words for you, Jorge. Home Grown Terrorism. Hey chigirl, two words. Orthodox synagogues. In THIS country. Senator, I blame the WAST majority of Republicans and Democrats for the WAST majority of THIS countries troubles. The Islamists and the rest of the tacit supporters at least have one thing right.
Posted by: Amused | May 30, 2009 9:56 PM
Obama should be right at home with the Muslim World, curious if he will bring up Israel.
Posted by: Inky | May 31, 2009 6:58 AM
Posted by: senator dirksen | May 30, 2009 1:07 PM
Right, let's all follow GW and become just as bad the terrorists. That'll real show them. More people, soldiers and civillians, were murdered by terrorists because of W's policies than aything.
Posted by: syj | May 31, 2009 6:50 PM
I don't have any respect for Muslims who want to kill anyone who doesn't believe like they do, who use, abuse, and kill women, and wants us living like we are in the stone age.
Posted by: Kat | June 1, 2009 9:49 PM
January 20, 2013..the end of an error.
Posted by: Nobama | June 3, 2009 5:31 PM
Im sorry Kat but did you say you have no respect for Muslims who want to kill anyone, who use, abuse, and kill women?? I think your confuding them with the american/british army and the goings on in Iraq etc
Posted by: HR | June 5, 2009 8:44 AM