talking turkey

well i have to hand it to mr obama. the speech in turkey* was a cracker, a great step towards building relations with the muslim world. some of the good bits:

Turkey’s democracy is your own achievement. It was not forced upon you by any outside power, nor did it come without struggle and sacrifice...

Now, our two democracies are confronted by an unprecedented set of challenges. An economic crisis that recognizes no borders. Extremism that leads to the killing of innocent men, women and children. Strains on our energy supply and a changing climate. The proliferation of the world’s deadliest weapons, and the persistence of tragic conflict...

This much is certain: no one nation can confront these challenges alone, and all nations have a stake in overcoming them. That is why we must listen to one another, and seek common ground. That is why we must build on our mutual interests, and rise above our differences. We are stronger when we act together...

Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports Turkey’s bid to become a member of the European Union... And Turkey is bound to Europe by more than bridges over the Bosphorous. Centuries of shared history, culture, and commerce bring you together. Europe gains by diversity of ethnicity, tradition and faith – it is not diminished by it. And Turkish membership would broaden and strengthen Europe’s foundation once more...

For democracies cannot be static – they must move forward. Freedom of religion and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only strengthens the state... An enduring commitment to the rule of law is the only way to achieve the security that comes from justice for all people. Robust minority rights let societies benefit from the full measure of contributions from all citizens.

I say this as the President of a country that not too long ago made it hard for someone who looks like me to vote. But it is precisely that capacity to change that enriches our countries. Every challenge that we face is more easily met if we tend to our own democratic foundation. This work is never over...

but this is the bit that is brave:

But I also want to be clear that America’s relationship with the Muslim work cannot and will not be based on opposition to al Qaeda. Far from it. We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree. And we will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over so many centuries to shape the world for the better – including my own country. The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country – I know, because I am one of them.

it's brave in the context of the vicious attacks he's had to face from the far right of being a muslim terrorist in disguise. the comments here to this washington post article is just a little taste of the less than enthusiastic response by some. (nice take-down of the article at the huffington post here.)

also heartening is a decision by the state of oklahoma to dismiss a bill that would have prevented muslim women from wearing headscarves for their driving license photos. which is in contrast to turkey, where until recently, women were prevented from wearing headscarves to university exams. turkey certainly have their own battle to protect their country from extremism, but i wish the battle didn't have to be fought by preventing women's freedoms.

*this was the first hit i got from a google search, it's not a site i've ever visited before.