The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) followed closely the delivered by the United States President Barack Obama on the 4^th of June 2009 at Cairo University, to the Muslims of the world. The speech signaled cordiality and appreciation towards Islam and Muslims, far removed from any inclinations of arrogant superiority or the forcefulness of power or the concept of hegemony.

The FIOE commends the enlightened conciliatory spirit of the speech, and the clear, positive messages that President Obama directed at Islam, and Muslims wherever they may be, as well as his recognition of the wealth of Islamic contributions to humanity’s inherited civilization.

The Federation specifically welcomes the commitment of the American President to combating the negative stereotypes of Islam, through his call for the protection of religious freedom for Muslims in the West, including the personal and religious rights of Muslim women in choosing their dress-code, over and above highlighting the added value of having diversity in our communities and in the world.

President Obama stressed the importance of avoiding the mistakes of the past, both recent and far, and expressed his determination in having a “new beginning “based on mutual respect between the United States and the Islamic world. This has created aspirations in the world that the speech will put an end to an era characterized by war, military interventions and occupation, and that it can surpass the logic of segregating the world into “good and evil”, with all that this era has established of rancor between people, extremist disputes, and racism, hatred and hostility towards Islam.

The spirit of commitment to the values of concord, enlightenment and justice that President Obama expressed in his speech, deserves a serious review of American strategies and foreign policy, in order to synchronize with this spirit, in such a way that it can be tangibly felt by people around the world, who will undoubtedly welcome any remedial steps.

Our world is in dire need of building on common ground that will accommodate all people, with a sincere commitment to the principles of righteousness, justice and fairness, as well as renouncing hostility and conserving the dignity of humanity, and respecting the rights of people in making choices. There is no doubt that this requires a reinforcement of the spirit of reconciliation and raising the voices of wisdom and moderation while silencing those that call for the conflict of civilizations and cultural clashes, and the inciters of malice. It is clear that decision makers in our world today must be aware of their responsibilities, and must express these noble human values in their words, deeds and stances, over and above focusing on the challenges on our planet that we must all face in unity.

The Federation, as one of the largest European Muslim Organization, in welcoming President Obama’s speech, calls for reinforcing, developing and building upon it, for the benefit of all humanity.

 

Brussels June 5^th 2009