Obama's Message to the Muslim World

 On January 20, I was one of the over 1.8 million people that came to Washington to witness the swearing in of Barack Obama as the first African American President of the United States.  In his historic speech President Obama made it clear that he is ready to open a new chapter in the United States' relations with the Muslim world.  His mention of Muslims was the first time a United States President has referenced Muslims in an inaugural speech and his first actions as President of the United States indicated that he is serious in his desire to change America's image abroad, specifically in the Muslim world. 

In his inaugural address, President Obama twice reached out to Muslims.  In his reference to America's diversity, he stated that the United States was a country of, "Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers."  He also spoke directly to the Muslim world when he said, "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect."  Additionally, he offered a willingness to extend America's hand to friend and foe to increase dialogue toward achieving stability.  This could have a significant impact on U.S-Syrian relations if Obama increases diplomatic overtures towards Damascus.

In his first days as President, Obama began implementing the words from his campaign into action.  He signed executive orders that will begin the closing of the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay within a year, end secret CIA prisons, and end the use of torture by requiring all interrogations to follow the non-coercive methods of the United States' Army Field Manual.  All of these are positive steps towards restoring the image and moral standard of the United States around the world.

As I talk to people in Jordan and Syria about a new administration in the White House, it's evident that people genuinely want a substantive policy shift.  They want a new direction on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They want to hear that the change Obama promised to bring to Washington includes a change in United States foreign policy to the Arab and Muslim worlds.     

President Obama clearly distinguished himself from George W. Bush on Iraq and Afghanistan. In his inaugural speech he stated, "We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan."  And while Obama has not explained in detail how he will approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is evident that he hopes to live up to his promise of being engaged from day one. 

On his first full day in office President Obama met with close advisors to begin discussions on ending the war in Iraq.  In the same week, he appointed George Mitchell as special envoy for Arab-Israeli affairs and Richard Holbrook as a special representative responsible for Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Mitchell, a former Senate majority leader, helped broker a peace agreement in Northern Ireland in 2001, while Holbrook was a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and played a key role in drafting the 1995 Dayton peace accords, which ended the war in Bosnia.  Both appointments have been seen as positive, particularly Mitchell's appointment because of his reputation of being fair and even-handed.

Equally important in building a long-term positive relationship with the Arab and Muslim worlds is addressing in detail the increasing lack of understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds.  President Obama must also eliminate the perception that the war on terror is a war against Islam and the belief that the current political conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of Asia are rooted in religious conflict. 

President Obama should be candid about the fact that the Western world does not have a clear understanding of the Muslim world in terms of its culture, history, and contribution to civilization.  In turn, he should similarly address the misperceptions that exist in the Muslim world about the West.  The new administration should point these out as significant parts of the underlying problem and offer long term solutions to these issues.  Some solutions should include increased educational and cultural exchange, non-military foreign assistance, and diplomatic initiatives with allies and adversaries.  Many of these efforts have decreased since 9/11.

Further, Obama should take the opportunity to engage the American Muslim community.  Engaging this community and the Arab American community would serve the United States as well as these communities can help foster mutual understanding by serving as a bridge between the two cultures. 

Working towards bridging the divide between the United States and the Muslim world will take time.  A report late last year in the Chicago Tribune stated that then President-elect Obama hoped to deliver a major speech in an Islamic capital soon after taking office.  This would be an excellent opportunity for President Obama to expand on his ideas for improved relations with the Muslim world by reaching out to the Muslim populace directly.  As the gap continues to widen, policy changes, engaging American Muslims, Muslim leaders and the populaces within Muslim countries could earn President Obama significant respect and set the tone for the type of dialogue we really need for years to come. 

Farooq Mitha is an international policy specialist and is currently a Fulbright Fellow in Amman, Jordan.