President Barack Obama promised to improve US ties with the Muslim world in his inauguration address on Tuesday: “To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” said Obama, who was inaugurated at noon on January 20th.
Under President Bush, US relations with Muslim nations have often been fractious, particularly after the September 11th attacks and the invasion of Iraq. Many Muslims were angered by US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and opening up a prison for foreign terrorism suspects in Guantanamo Bay – seen as a symbol of human rights abuses carried out on mostly Muslim demographics in the name of the “war on terrorism.” President Obama has vowed to close Guantanamo Bay within a year, and sent a message to Muslim world, saying that the United States will extend a hand if (they) are willing to unclench (their) fist.
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed Obama’s promise to seek better relations with Muslim nations. “We hope this encouraging statement, coupled with a change in America’s previous policies toward the Muslim world, will help improve our nation’s image and promote a safe and prosperous future for all of humanity,” said Nihad Awad, CAIR’s Executive Director.
