IN his first visit to a predominantly Muslim state, Barack Obama stood in the Turkish parliament to declare that “United States is not and will not be at war with Islam.” Interrupted by polite applause as he delivered his 25-minute address, Obama was keen on bringing a bitter chapter of mutual mistrust, hatred and misunderstanding to a close between United States and the Muslim world when he reminded his Turkish hosts that “the United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans” and that Americans “convey deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world.” Barack Obama struck a resonant chord, particularly after the sharp deterioration in relations between Islam and the United States. His vision of the past, his knowledge about the damage caused by the so-called war on terror and his obligations to voters that he, once elected president, would build new bridges with the Muslim world, all encouraged him to reach out to Arabs and Muslims. The signs for a positive change in US policy in relation to the Muslim world are reflected in the numerous steps that Obama Administration has been taking since January. We need to remember that, in contrast to some elements of his Democratic Party, Barack Obama was among the few voices that voted against Iraq war in the US Congress. His strong opposition to that war has given him leverage in his race to the White House. Just days after being sworn in as US president, Obama gave his first TV interview to an Arabic news channel in which he reassured the Arab and Muslim audience that he would have a totally different strategy regarding his country's relationship with the Muslims. He plainly stated that his foreign policy approach would be based on diplomacy and friendship rather than confrontation and militarism. During his presidential campaign and days after his inauguration, he vowed to restore ties with the Muslim world. He took serious steps toward fulfilling that promise when he ordered the full closure of the notorious detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. During his European tour earlier this month, he tried to incline his European counterparts to accept some detainees whose countries are not ready to welcome them back. In a press conference with Obama, French President Sarkozy hinted that Europe may accept some of those detainees once United States decides to completely close the camp. Regarding Israeli occupation of an Arab land, Obama's choice of George Mitchell as the US envoy to the Middle East signals a determination from the American administration to put an end to the conflict. Although no American president would dare to put further pressure on Israel to make peace with the Palestinians, it is clear that, unlike his predecessor, Obama is keen on adopting more balanced perspective regarding the whole conflict, aligning himself with the approach envisaged by the Clinton administration. However, the recent Israeli election has brought a right-wing, hardline government which would almost entirely work to freeze the whole peace process and reject the two-state solution that had been advanced by President Bush and is still preferred by Obama and his foreign policy team. Obama's determination to withdraw troops from Iraq is gaining him much popularity in the Muslim world. US-led invasion of Iraq has poisoned the US ties with the Muslim world. However, people in the region know that Obama staunchly opposed that war and his promise of bringing his country's occupation to an end is easing tension and may help restore confidence between United States and its partners in the Muslim world. In conclusion, United States is now embroiled in an unprecedented financial crisis that is taking much of the president's time and effort. But the steps he has been taking to restore relations with the Muslim world can significantly reduce the anti-American feelings that have swept across the Muslim world, particularly after the 9/11. Many people in the Muslim world are cheering Obama's reconciliatory approach toward Muslims. However, these goodwill wishes will remain pointless unless both sides take rigorous steps to heal the wounds of the past and build a new model for partnership that is based on, as Obama said in his address to the Turkish parliament, mutual interest and mutual respect.
