and mutual respect and one based upon the truth that america and islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. instead, they overlap and share common principles, principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dig -- dignity of all human beings. i do so recognizing the change cannot happen overnight. i know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech but no single speech could eradicate years of mistrust, nor can i answer in the time i have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. but i am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each over the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are set only

behind closed doors. there must be a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another. be a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground. as the core ron tells us, the conscious of god and speak only of the truth. [applause] that is what i will try to do today. to speak the truth as best i can. humbled by the task before us and firm in my belief that the edges we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. i am a christian. my father came from a kenyan family that includes generations of moslems. as a boy and spent several years in indonesia. i heard the call of a one group of people at the break of dawn and at the fall of dust. i work in chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in the muslim faith. as a student of history, i know civilizations' debt to as long. it was as long and places -- it was is lolam that led to innovation. [applause]

it was an addition in moslem communities that developed the order of outer. a magnetic compass and tools of navigation, our mastery of pens and printing, our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. the islamic culture has given us timeless poetry interest music, elegant calligraphy, and places a peaceful contemplation. throughout history islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. [applause] islam has also been a part of

america's story. the first country to recognize our story is morocco. they signed a treaty in 1796. our second president john adams wrote the united states has in itself no character against the loss, religion, tranquility of the muslims. american muslims have enriched the united states. they have a thought in our wars, served in our government, stood for civil-rights, started businesses, taught in our universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won nobel prizes, build our tallest building, and lit the olympic torch. when the first moslem america was elected to congress he took an oath to defend the constitution is in the same hole in dhahran that one of our founding fallers, thomas jefferson -- the same holy

koran that one of our founding fathers, thomas jefferson, had in his library. [applause] i have known isislam on three continents. that experience? my conviction that a partnership between america and islam must be based on what it is not what it is not. i consider part of my responsibility as president of the united states to fight against negative stereotypes of islam wherever they appear. [applause] but that same principle must apply to muslim perceptions of

america. [applause] just as muslims do not fit a stereotype, america is not the crude stereotype of a self interested empire. the united states has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. we were born out of revolution against an empire. we were founded upon the idea that all are created equal. we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words. within our borders and around the world, we are shaped and drawn from every culture and end from the earth. we are dedicated to a simple concept. out of many, one. much has been made of the fact that an african-american with

the name barack hussein obama could be elected president. [applause] but my personal story is not so unique. the dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in america, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores. that includes nearly 7 million american muslims. in our country today who enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the american average. [applause] moreover, freedom in america it is indivisible from the freedom to practice once religion. that is why there is a mosque in

every state of our union and over 1200 mosques within our borders. that is what united states government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the fabric. and to punish those who will deny it. so let there be no doubt -- [applause] let there be no doubt, islam is a part of america. i believe america hold within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share a common aspiration, to live in peace and security, to get an education and to work with dignity, to let our families, our communities and our god. these things we share. this is the hope of all humanity. recognizing our common humanity

is only the beginning of our task. words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. these needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead. if we understand the challenges we face are shared and our failure to meet them will hurt us all. for we have learned from recent experience that when the financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is heard everywhere -- is heard everywhere. when a new flute index one human being, all are at risk. -- when a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. when violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. when in a sense in bosnia are slaughtered, that is a stand on

our collective conscience. -- a stain on our collective conscience. [applause] that is what it means to share the world in the 21st century. that is the irresponsibility we have to one another as human beings. is it difficult responsibility to embrace. human history has often been a record of nations and tribes and religions subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. given our interdependence, in the world order that elevates one nation or group of people over a another will inevitably fail.

whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. our problems must be dealt with through partnership. our progress must be shared. [applause] that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. indeed it suggests the opposite. we must face these tensions squarely. in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly -- plainly as i can about some specific issues that i believe we must finally confront together. the first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.

i made clear that america is not and never will be at war with islam. [applause] we will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who oppose a grave threat to our security. we reject the same thing that people of all face reject, the killing of innocent men, women, and children. it is my first duty as president to protect the american people. this situation in afghanistan demonstrates america's goals. and our need to work together. over seven years ago, the devastates pursued al qaeda and the taliban with broad international support. we did not go by choice. whit because of necessity.

-- we went because of necessity. there are some who would justify the offense of 9-11. al qaeda killed nearly 3000 people that day. the victims were innocent men, women, and children from america and many other nations who led done nothing to harm anybody. al qaeda chose to ruthlessly murdered these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. they have affiliate's in many countries that are trying to extend their reach. these are not the opinions to be debated, these are facts to be dealt with. make no mistake, we do not want to keep our troops in afghanistan. we see no military -- we seek no

military bases there. it is agonizing for america to lose our young men and women. it is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. we would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in afghanistan and pakistan determined to kill as many americans as they possibly can. that is not yet the case. that is why we are pertinent with a coalition of 46 countries. despite the cost involved, america's commitment will not weaken. none of us should tolerate these extremists. they have killed in many countries. they had killed people of different faiths and more than any other, they had killed muslims. their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings,

the progress of nations, and nations islam. the holy koran says whoever has killed the innocent has essentially killed all of mankind. [applause] whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. [applause] a the enduring faith of over 1 billion people is so much bigger than the nearest -- narrow hatred of a few. islam is not part of the problem combating violent extremism, it is an important part of promoting peace. we also know that military power

alone is not going to solve the problems in afghanistan and pakistan. that is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on. let me also address the issue of iraq. unlike afghanistan, iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. although i believe that the iraqi people are better off without the tyranny of saddam hussein, i also believe that the

events in iraq have reminded america and the need to use diplomacy and build a national consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. [applause] we can recall the words of thomas jefferson who said i hope our wisdom will grow with our power and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be. today america has a dual responsibility to help iraq for in better future and to lead iraq to iraqis. i have made it clear to the iraqi people -- [applause] i have made it clear to the iraqi people that we pursue no basis and no claim on their territory or resources. iraq's sovereignty is its own. that is why i ordered the

removal of our combat brigades by next august. that is why we will honor our agreement with their democratically elected government to remove combat troops from iraqi cities by july. and to remove all of our troops from iraq by 2012. [applause] we will help iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. we will support and secure a united iraq as a partner and never as a patron. finally just as america can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. 9-eleven was enormous, to our country. the fear an anger it provoked was understandable.

in some cases it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideas. we're taking concrete actions to change course. i have prohibited the use of torture by the united states, and i have not ordered the prison of guantanamo bay close by early next year. [applause] -- closed by early next year. [applause] america will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. we will do so in partnership with moslem communities which are also threatened. the sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

the second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between israelis, palestinians, and the arab world. america's strong bonds with israel are well known. this bond is unbreakable. it is based upon cultural and historical ties and the recognition that the aspiration for a jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied. around the world, the jewish people were persecuted for centuries and anti-semitism in europe culminated in an unprecedented holocaust. tomorrow i will visit one place which is part of a network of camps where jews were enslaved, tortured, shot, and gassed to death by the third rise.

6 million jews were killed. more than the entire jewish population of israel today. denying that fact is baseless, ignored, and hateful. threatening israel with destruction or repeating by lead stereotypes about the jews is deeply wrong and only serves to invoke in the minds of israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve. on the other hand, it is also undeniable that the palestinian people, most loans and christians, have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. -- muslims and christians have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. many have experienced being

displaced. they are trying to have a life of peace and security that they have not been able to lead. they endure the daily humiliations large and small that come with occupation. let there be no doubt, the situation for the palestinian people is intolerable. america will not turn our backs on the legitimate palestinian aspirations for demint, opportunity, and a state -- dignity and opportunity. [applause] for decades there has been a stalemate. two peebles with legitimate aspirations -- two peoples with legitimate aspirations that makes compromise elusive. it is easy to point fingers.

for palestinians to point to the displacement brought by israel's founding and for its release two point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders and beyond. if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth. the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states where israelis and palestinians each live in peace and security. [applause] that is in the interest of israel, palestine, america, and the world. that is why i intend to personally pursue this outcome

which all of the patients and a dedication that the task requires. the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. for peace to come it is time for them and all of us to live up to our responsibilities. palestinians must abandon violence. resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. for centuries, black people in america suffered the lash of the rip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. it was not the violence that won equal rights. it was a peaceful and determine insistence upon the ideals at the center of america's founding. this same story can be told by people from south africa to

south asia. from eastern europe to indonesia. it is a story with a simple truth. and violence is a dead end. it is a sign leader of courage nor power. to shoot rockets at sleeping children or blow up old women on a bus. that is not how moral authority is claimed, that is how it is surrendered. that is the time for palestinians to focus on what they can build. the palestinian authority must develop its capacity to govern with institutions that can serve the needs of their people. how amas does have support among some palestinians. they have to recognize their responsibilities to play a role in of killing palestinian aspirations, to unify the palestinian people -- their

responsibilities to play a role of fulfilling palestinian aspirations, to unify the palestinian people. israel must recognize that there justice cannot be denied nor can palestine's. the united states does not except accept the legitimacy of israeli settlements. [applause] this construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. it is time for these settlements to stop. [applause] israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that palestinians can live and work and develop their society. just as it devastates palestinian families that the

humane -- humanitarian crisis in gaza not serve as real security. progress in the daily lives of the palestinian people must be a critical part of the road to peace and israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress. finally the arab states must recognize that their peace initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. the arab-israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of arab nations from their problems, but it must be a cause for action to help the palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize israel's legitimacy, and it to choose progress over a self- defeating focus on the past.

america will align our policies with those who pursue peace. we will say in public what we say in private to israelis and palestinians and arabs. [applause] we cannot impose peace, but privately many muslims recognize that israel will not go away. many israelis recognize the need for a palestinian state. it is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true. too many tears have been shed and too much blood has been shed. all of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of israelis and palestinians can see their children grow up without fear, when the holy land of the three

great faiths is the place of peace that god intended it to be, when jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for jews and christians and moslems and a place for all of the children of abraham chemical peacefully together as in the story of islam -- children of abraham can mainingle peacefully together as in the story of islam. the third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons. this issue has been a source of tension between the united states and the islamic republic of iran. for many