Senator John Kerry calls for improved US ties with Muslim world

Senator John Kerry, chairman of the US Foreign Relations Committee, has called for a new chapter in America’s relationship with the Muslim world. Kerry chaired a hearing on Thursday to explore ways to forge better ties with the Muslim world, and opened the hearing by echoing President Obama’s call for better ties: “we share your aspirations for freedom, dignity, justice, and security. We are ready to listen, learn, and honor the president’s commitment to approach the Muslim world with a spirit of mutual respect,” said Senator Kerry.

He also called on Americans to do their part to ease the climate of fear and distrust that followed the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks, saying “If we truly want to empower Muslim moderates, we must also stop tolerating the casual Islamophobia that has seeped into our political discourse since 9/11.” The senator recently returned from a Middle East trip which included stops in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza.

Share Button

Sources