Carson: President's Speech Lays Groundwork for Mutual Respect and Dialogue with Muslim World
June 4, 2009
June 4, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman André Carson, who serves as one of only two Muslims in Congress, issued the following statement today on President Barack Obama's address to the Muslim world:
"President Obama was eloquent and visionary in his address to the Muslim world today. His tone of mutual respect will lay the groundwork for future dialogue, which is absolutely critical to building relationships with Muslim communities abroad and seeking their help in addressing the challenges we face as a global people.
"The President was direct in addressing the real challenges standing in the way of a lasting peace in the Middle East and beyond. He spelled out the need to directly and relentlessly confront extremism—which poses a threat both to the security of the U.S. and Muslims around the globe; and he outlined the importance of a two state solution in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, as well as the need to end Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon.
"President Obama's speech laid out a vision for moving forward, pointing out that our mutual interests of peace, justice and prosperity are far stronger than the differences that have been misused by extremists to incite violence and create division.
"Just as Muslims have played a critical role in shaping the United States throughout our proud history, so to must the people of Islamic faith across our globe be engaged in forging a more peaceful, more just and prosperous world in the future.
"As a Muslim, and more importantly, a proud American, I look forward to supporting the President's vision for engaging Muslims to address the serious global challenges we face."
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