United States president Obama is reaching out to Muslims and trying to rebuild ties with Muslims after anger at the most unpopular invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. While addressing the Turkey’s Parliament, he said:

“Let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam.”

He further said, ‘The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.’

The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country. I know, because I am one of them,’ Obama said in his speech to parliament.  Obama also called Iran a ‘great civilization’ and said he sought engagement with the Islamic Republic. But he added: ‘Iran’s leaders must choose whether they will try to build a weapon or build a better future for their people.’ Obama also backed Turkey’s bid to join European Union.

Although Obama is making some efforst to reach out to Muslims with his words, however, his actions are not supporting his words. His administration is sending more troops to Afghanistan as well has increased funding for drones which have been carrying out missile attacks into Pakistan’s area.  These missile attacks have only killed mostly civilians and not any important figure of Taliban. As a direct result of these missile attacks, now many of the Pakistan’s major cities are under suicide bombers killing a large number of civilians there as well.

If Obama is sincere in bridging the ever increasing distance between West and Muslims, he has to change his policy in Afghanistan also. Following Bush’s policy will acheive nothing but more deaths and more anger against US.

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