The Meaning of Obama’s Speech in Egypt

Although a statement of intentions, Obama’s speech in Cairo covered critical challenges facing the US in the Muslim world and offered a new paradigm, a new beginning, for managing relations between the two civilizations.

Although a statement of intentions, Obama’s speech in Cairo covered critical challenges facing the US in the Muslim world and offered a new paradigm, a new beginning, for managing relations between the two civilizations. The address sent a clear message:

“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.”