Text of Obama's speech in Cairo

By The Associated Press The
Associated Press Thu Jun 4,
9:04 am ET

Text of President Barack Obama's
speech at Cairo University, as provided by CQ Transcriptions.

Good afternoon. I am honored to be
in the timeless city of Cairo and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions.
For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has had stood as a beacon of Islamic
learning. And for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's
advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and
progress.
I'm grateful for your hospitality
and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm also proud to carry with me
the good will of the American people and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities
in my country: Assalamu-alaikum.

(APPLAUSE)

We meet at a time of great tension
between the United States and Muslims around the world, tension rooted in
historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship
between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation
but also conflict and religious wars.
More recently, tension has been fed
by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims and a Cold
War in which Muslim majority countries were too often treated as proxies
without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought
by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to
the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited
these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of
September 11, 2001, and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in
violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably
hostile not only to America and western countries but also to human rights.
All this has bred more fear and more
mistrust. So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will
empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict
rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and
prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I've come here to Cairo to seek a
new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based
on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that
America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead,
they overlap and share common principles, principles of justice and progress,
tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
I do so recognizing that change
cannot happen overnight. I know there's been a lot of publicity about this
speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust nor can I answer
in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought
us to this point.
But I am convinced that in order to
move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts
and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained
effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one
another, and to seek common ground.
As the Holy Quran tells us, Be
conscious of God and speak always the truth.

(APPLAUSE)

That is what I will try to do today,
to speak the truth as best I can. Humbled by the task before us and firm in my
belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than
the forces that drive us apart.
Now, part of this conviction is
rooted in my own experience. I'm a Christian. But my father came from a Kenyan
family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in
Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall
of dusk.
As a young man, I worked in Chicago
communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith. As a
student of history, I also know civilization' s debt to Islam. It was Islam at
places like Al-Azhar that carried the light of learning through so many
centuries, paving the way for Europe's renaissance and enlightenment. It was
innovation in Muslim communities. ..

(APPLAUSE)

It was innovation in Muslim
communities that developed the order of algebra, our magnetic compass and tools
of navigation, our mastery of pens and printing, our understanding of how
disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic
arches and soaring spires, timeless poetry and cherished music, elegant
calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam
has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious
tolerance and racial equality.

(APPLAUSE)

I also know that Islam has always
been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco.
In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second president, John Adams,
wrote,
The United States has in itself no
character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims. And
since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.
They have fought in our wars. They
have served in our government. They have stood for civil rights. They have
started businesses. They have taught at our universities. They've excelled in
our sports arenas. They've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building and lit
the Olympic torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to
Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same holy Quran
that one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, kept in his personal
library.

(APPLAUSE)

So I have known Islam on three continents
before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides
my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what
Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as
president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam
wherever they appear.

(APPLAUSE)

But that same principle must apply
to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as...

(APPLAUSE)

Just as Muslims do not fit a crude
stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.
The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the
world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire.
We were founded upon the ideal that
all are created equal. And we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to
give meaning to those words, within our borders and around the world.
We are shaped by every culture.
Drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept, E
pluribus unum: Out of many, one.
Now much has been made of the fact
that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected
president.

(APPLAUSE)

But my personal story is not so
unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone
in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores. And that
includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the
way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American
average.
Moreover, freedom in America is
indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a
mosque in every state in our union and over 1,200 mosques within our borders.
That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right
of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.
So let there be no doubt...

(APPLAUSE)

... let there be no doubt, Islam is
a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that
regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common
aspirations: to live in peace and security, to get an education and to work
with dignity, to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things
we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognizing our common
humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs
of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years
ahead. And if we understand that the challenges we face are shared and our
failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent
experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is
hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When
one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all
nations.
When violent extremists operate in
one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents
in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience.

(APPLAUSE)

That is what it means to share this
world in the 21st Century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as
human beings. This is a difficult responsibility to embrace, for human history
has often been a record of nations and tribes, and, yes, religions subjugating
one another in pursuit of their own interests.
Yet in this new age, such attitudes
are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates
one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we
think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt
with through partnership, our progress must be shared.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, that does not mean we should
ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite. We must face these
tensions squarely. And so, in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as
plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally
confront together.
The first issue that we have to
confront is violent extremism in all its forms. In Ankara, I made clear that
America is not and never will be at war with Islam.

(APPLAUSE)

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. And it is my first duty as president to protect the American
people.
The situation in Afghanistan
demonstrates America's goals and our need to work together. Over seven years
ago, the United States pursued Al Qaida and the Taliban with broad
international support. We did not go by choice. We went because of necessity.
I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the
offense of 9/11. But let us be clear. Al Qaida killed nearly 3,000 people on
that day.
The victims were innocent men,
women, and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to
harm anybody. And yet Al Qaida chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed
credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a
massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand
their reach.
These are not opinions to be
debated. These are facts to be dealt with. Make no mistake, we do not want to
keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military -- we seek no military bases
there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is
costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict.
We would gladly bring every single
one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent
extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans
as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.
And that's why we're partnering with
a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America's
commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these
extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of
different faiths but, more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their
actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of
nations, and with Islam.
The Holy Quran teaches that whoever
kills an innocent is as -- it is as it if has killed all mankind.

(APPLAUSE)

And the Holy Quran also says whoever
saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.

(APPLAUSE)

The enduring faith of over a billion
people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of
the problem in combating violent extremism; it is an important part of
promoting peace.
Now, we also know that military
power alone is not going solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That's
why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to
partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses,
and hundreds of millions to help those who've been displaced.
That's why we are providing more
than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services
that people depend on.
Now, let me also address the issue
of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong
differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the
Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I
also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use
diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever
possible.

(APPLAUSE)

Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas
Jefferson, who said, I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power and teach
us that the less we use our power, the greater it will be. Today America has a
dual responsibility to help Iraq forge a better future and to leave Iraq to
Iraqis.
I have made it clear to the Iraqi
people...

(APPLAUSE)

I have made it clear to the Iraqi
people that we pursue no basis and no claim on their territory or resources.
Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our
combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with
Iraq's democratically- elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi
cities by July and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012.

(APPLAUSE)

We will help Iraq train its security
forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as
a partner and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can
never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our
principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that
it provoked was understandable. But in some cases, it led us to act contrary to
our traditions and our ideals.
We are taking concrete actions to
change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United
States. And I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next
year.

(APPLAUSE)

So America will defend itself,
respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so
in partnership with Muslim communities, which are also threatened. The sooner
the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we
will all be safer.
Now, the second major source of
tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians
and the Arab world. America's strong bonds with Israel are well-known. This
bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties and the
recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic
history that cannot be denied.
Around the world the Jewish people
were persecuted for centuries. And anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an
unprecedented holocaust. Tomorrow I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a
network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death
by the Third Reich.
Six million Jews were killed, more
than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is
baseless. It is ignorant, and it is hateful.
It's about preventing a nuclear arms
race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely
dangerous path.
Now, I understand those who protest
that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nations should
pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that's why I strongly
reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold
nuclear weapons.

(APPLAUSE)

And any nation, including Iran,
should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its
responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is
at the core of the treaty. And it must be kept for all who fully abide by it.
And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address
is democracy.

(APPLAUSE)

I know there has been controversy
about the promotion of democracy in recent years. And much of this controversy
is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear. No system of government
can or should be imposed by one nation by any other. That does not lessen my
commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.
Each nation gives life to this
principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America
does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not
presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.
But I do have an unyielding belief
that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and
have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law and the equal
administration of justice, government that is transparent and doesn't steal
from the people, the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American
ideas. They are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, there is no straight line to
realize this promise. But this much is clear. Governments that protect these
rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas
never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all
peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we
disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments,
provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because
there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power. Once
in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.

(APPLAUSE)

So no matter where it takes hold,
government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who
would hold power. You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion.
You must respect the rights of minorities and participate with a spirit of
tolerance and compromise. You must place the interests of your people and the
legitimate workings of the political process above your party.
Without these ingredients, elections
alone do not make true democracy.

(AUDIENCE MEMBER SHOUTS)

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

The fifth issue that we must address
together is religious freedom. Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see
it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it
firsthand as a child in Indonesia where devote Christians worshipped freely in
an overwhelmingly Muslim country.
That is the spirit we need today.
People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based
upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul.
This tolerance is essential for
religion to thrive. But it's being challenged in many different ways. Among
some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the
rejection of somebody else's faith.
The richness of religious diversity
must be upheld, whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.

(APPLAUSE)

And if we are being honest, fault
lines must be closed among Muslims as well as the divisions between Sunni and
Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to
the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in
which people protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on
charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious
obligation.
That's why I'm committed to work
with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat. Likewise, it is
important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from
practicing religion as they see fit, for instance, by dictating what clothes a
Muslim woman should wear.
We can't disguise hostility towards
any religion behind the pretense of liberalism. In fact, faith should bring us
together. And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring
together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi
Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance
of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn
dialogue into interfaith service so bridges between peoples lead to action,
whether it is combating malaria in Africa or providing relief after a natural
disaster.
The sixth issue -- the sixth issue
that I want to address is women's rights.

(APPLAUSE)

I know...

(APPLAUSE)

I know, and you can tell from this
audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of
some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less
equal. But I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied
equality.

(APPLAUSE)

And it is no coincidence that
countries where women are well- educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now let me be clear, issues of
women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to
lead.
Meanwhile, the struggle for women's
equality continues in many aspects of American life and in countries around the
world. I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society
as our sons.

(APPLAUSE)

Our common prosperity will be
advanced by allowing all humanity, men and women, to reach their full
potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in
order to be equal. And I respect those women who choose to live their lives in
traditional roles. But it should be their choice.
That is why the United States will
partner with any Muslim- majority country to support expanded literacy for
girls and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that
helps people live their dreams.

(APPLAUSE)

Finally, I want to discuss economic
development and opportunity. I know that for many, the face of globalization is
contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information
but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home.
Trade can bring new wealth and
opportunities but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all
nations, including America, this change can bring fear; fear that, because of
modernity, we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most
importantly, our identities, those things we most cherish about our
communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.
But I also know that human progress
cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and
tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously
while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing
progress within Muslim majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.
In ancient times and in our times,
Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education. And
this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what
comes out of the ground nor can it be sustained while young people are out of
work.
Many Gulf States have enjoyed great
wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader
development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be
the currency of the 21st century. And in too...

(APPLAUSE)

And in too many Muslim communities,
there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investment
within my own country. And while America, in the past, has focused on oil and
gas when it comes to this part of the world, we new seek a broader engagement.
On education, we will expand change
programs and increase scholarships like the one that brought my father to
America.

(APPLAUSE)

At the same time, we will encourage
more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising
Muslim students are internships in America, invest in online learning for
teachers and children around the world and create a new, online network so a
young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.
On economic development, we will
create a new core of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim
majority countries. And I will host a summit on entrepreneurship this year to
identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and
social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the
world.
On science and technology, we will
launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim majority
country and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more
jobs. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East,
and Southeast Asia and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs
that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean
water, grow new crops.
Today, I'm announcing a new global
effort with the organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And
we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal
health.
All these things must be done in
partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments,
community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim
communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described
will not be easy to address, but we have a responsibility to join together to
behalf of the world that 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.But we can only achieve it together. I know there are many,
Muslim and non-Muslim, who question whether we can forge this new beginning.
Some are eager to stoke the flames of division and to stand in the way of
progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort, that we are fated to
disagree and civilizations are doomed to clash.
Many more are simply skeptical that
real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust that has built
up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move
forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith in
every country. You more than anyone have the ability to reimagine the world,
the remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a
brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on
what pushes us apart or whether we commit ourselves to an effort, a sustained
effort to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children
and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It's easier to start wars than to
end them. It's easier to blame others than to look inward. It's easier to see
what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should
choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is one rule that lies at
the heart of every religion, that we do unto others as we would have them do
unto us.

(APPLAUSE)

This truth transcends nations and
peoples, a belief that isn't new, that isn't black or white or brown, that
isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of
civilization and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world.
It's a faith in other people. And it's what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world
we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in
mind what has been written. The Holy Quran tells us, Mankind, we have created
you male and a female. And we have made you into nations and tribes so that you
may know one another.
The Talmud tells us, The whole of
the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.
The Holy Bible tells us, Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

(APPLAUSE)

The people of the world can live
together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here
on Earth.
Thank you. And may God's peace be
upon you. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
END