Uzbek Citizens React to Obama’s Speech to the Muslim World

06/11/2009

Ambassador Richard Norland moderated a discussion after the screening of U.S. President Barack Obama’s Address to the Muslim World on June 9 at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent

Citizens of Uzbekistan said they found U.S. President Barack Obama’s Address to the Muslim World “really touching,” “important,” and “very clear in his mind” during a discussion of the speech on June 9.

About 50 people, both Americans and citizens of Uzbekistan, attended a screening of the speech at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent. After the screening, U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland moderated a discussion, during which the Uzbek citizens offered a range of opinions and questions about the speech itself and the effects it could have in the Muslim world and in the United States.

“It is clear that these words were coming from his heart,” said one young woman, noting that this was the first time a U.S. President had ever reached out in such a way to Muslims. “This is a very important message.”

On June 4, Obama delivered a speech entitled “A New Beginning: President Obama Speaks to the Muslim World.” He discussed his desire to build a new relationship between the U.S. and the Muslim world based on respect, trust and mutual understanding. He spoke about the influence of Islam on himself as an individual, on the United States, and on the history of the world. He then outlined his Administration’s goals for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, relations with Iran, and other issues of particular importance in the Muslim world.

You can read the speech in English, Uzbek or Russian, or watch the video.

During the discussion Tuesday, the reaction among the Uzbek citizens was very positive, although some wondered how difficult it would be to follow up the words with concrete actions that would ease tensions, while others questioned how well the speech would be received by the American public.

“I’m not sure how it will be taken by Americans themselves,” one woman said. “Is there too much emphasis on others?”

Another woman wondered why other presidents in the past have not made such an overture to Muslims, while another said she thought Obama was in a unique position: “He’s the first President who can make peace with Muslim countries.”

Participants in the discussion were also invited to write down some of their thoughts on the speech. Among these written responses, one person said the speech was a sign of progress yet to come.

“Americans in general will have a greater understanding of the Muslim world. And it will also decrease stereotypes on Muslims and bring two nations closer,” the respondent wrote.

The positive response during the discussion reflected the tone of a statement released earlier in the day by Jahon, the official press service of the Government of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This is an appeal to break the vicious circle of mistrust and confrontation with the Muslim world,” the press release stated, adding that the speech reflected “realism and pragmatism.”“Such a sober and real approach … will undoubtedly echo in the international community.”

Carol Fajardo, the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, noted that the speech was only a start in building new relationships. She added that the speech was one part of a program of outreach that included President Obama’s interview with television channel Al-Arabiya, a message on the Muslim holiday of Nawruz, and town hall meetings in Turkey.