Faith Should Bring Us Together

On June 4, at the University of Cairo, President Barack Obama delivered a much anticipated speech directed to Islam generally and the Arab world more specifically. His words were carefully phrased, respectful, with touchstones for Muslims and Arabs. He packed a number of issues/concerns into a speech less than 6,000 words long.

He spoke forthrightly about the crucial related issues of the Middle East, including the State of Israel and the plight of displaced Palestinians.

He lifted American values, including freedom (touching upon women's rights) and democracy.

As a keysotone to his persuasive rhetoric, President Obama invoked the commonality of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as Abrahamic religions through the story of Isra from the Muslim tradition, "when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer."

President Obama once again alluded to the Golden Rule saying "There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today."

In my estimation, in this speech, President Obama offered a global vision of the role of religion for nations and faiths. This vision included mutual religious freedom and tolerance. Diversity must be upheld and therefore diversity is good. And interfaith dialogue, it is presumed, will find common ground and universal principles (such as the Golden Rule).

As President Obama declared in his Cairo speech, "Indeed, faith should bring us together."