June 27, 2007
Bush Seeks Islam Envoy,
Appeals to Moderate Muslims
Washington
US President George W. Bush said Wednesday he will name a special
envoy to promote understanding between the United States and Islamic
nations, and urged Muslims to condemn extremism.
The envoy, who is yet to be named, will serve as a link to the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a 57-nation group
headquartered in Saudi Arabia, Bush said.
"Our special envoy will listen to and learn from representatives
from Muslim states and will share with them America's views and
values," he said in a speech at the Washington Islamic Centre
marking its founding 50 years ago.
"This is an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate to Muslim
communities our interest in respectful dialogue and continued
friendship," he said.
Leaders from the Islamic world founded the OIC in 1969 in Morocco to
rally Muslim unity and confront Israel. The group is now based in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In sweeping remarks on US-Muslim relations, Bush used dramatic
language to call for freedom across the Islamic world - "from
Damascus to Tehran" - and said the US continues to work for "a
democratic Palestine" that is ready to live peacefully with Israel.
He urged moderate Muslims to stand up to extremists who "use the
veneer of Islamic belief" to foment violence "and to reach out to
young Muslims - even in our country and elsewhere in the free world
- who believe suicide bombing may some day be justified".
Bush voiced respect for Islam as a "faith that has enriched
civilisation for centuries" and insisted that terrorists are "not
the true face of Islam".
He recalled US help for earthquake victims in Pakistan and Iran, aid
to Indonesia and Malaysia after the 2004 tsunami disaster, and its
defence of Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo.
"The greatest challenge facing people of conscience is to help the
forces of moderation win the great struggle against extremism that
is now playing out across the broader Middle East," he said.
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