Sharing the core of our beliefs

By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf

New York, New York - As he travels to Turkey on 7 April, US President Barack Obama takes the next step to fulfil his pledge to address the Muslim world. Some critics have warned him: don’t do it. I believe they are wrong. This is just the right thing to do, and Obama is the one to do it.

The president will speak at the UN Alliance of Civilization’s forum in Istanbul as a way to talk directly with Muslims about finding common ground for peace.

Critics say Obama should not try to engage the “Muslim world” because there is no such unified thing. They say this will play into Osama bin Laden’s narrative because he portrays himself as the protector of the “Muslim world”. They say the conflicts in the Middle East, with Iran, within Iraq and between Pakistan and India are not rooted in religion, but are secular fights over land, influence and control. (READ MORE)