Spiritual Seeds of America - full article

America has both "Spiritual Founding Fathers" and "Secular Founding Fathers".

The Spiritual Seeds of the United States of America were planted in 1565 by the French Huguenots near St. Augustine, Florida.  They were the first to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to what is now known as America.   Moreover, they were the first to be martyred on American soil. 

The Secular Seeds of America were planted by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and others who wrote the Constitution of the United States which was a product of the Age of Enlightenment.  And, it was from these seeds of the “Age of Reason” that “Secular Religion” began to take root and grow in America.  (see the article: America’s Secular Founding Fathers and Secular Religion and Liberty: America’s New Secular Religion and New Secular Law)

The Spiritual Seed of the United States of America was founded upon the “Martyrdom of the Huguenots” and the "Word of their Testimony"

Revelation 12 [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Overview

There is much discussion among the Christian community concerning the spiritual roots of America.  Assuming that we do have a Christian foundation (and we do), some attribute this to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or other Founding Fathers and documents produced by them around the time of the American Revolution.  Others cite earlier roots with William Penn of the Colony of Pennsylvania, while still others refer to the Pilgrims and the Puritans in the New England colonies. However, the earliest spiritual roots of America can be traced back to 1565 to a little-known group of French Huguenots led by a man named Jean Ribault and they were the first to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to what is now known as America.

The Huguenots were French Protestants who were persecuted for their faith beginning as early as 1536 in France. Although they wanted to establish a colony for France, the primary reason that the Huguenots came to America was to establish a place where they could worship the LORD in spirit and in truth.  It just so happened that they established the first successful colony in what is now America approximately 43 years before the founding of Jamestown and 56 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. It was at Fort Caroline, the fort established by the Huguenots, and the environs of what later became the nearby town of St. Augustine, Florida, that Jean Ribault went into covenant with the LORD and thereby established the spiritual foundation of America. And it was here that Jean Ribault was martyred.

The Huguenots

To escape persecution for their faith and even extinction, the French Protestants, known as the Huguenots, sailed to America in 1564 and established a permanent colony in modern day Florida. They founded Fort Caroline on June 30, 1564, and it was here at Fort Caroline that the Spiritual Roots of America were laid down on October 12, 1565, with the martyrdom of Jean Ribault, leader of the French Huguenots.

Previous to the Huguenots’ settlement, Spain had attempted to colonize America, but without success. When Spain learned that the French had established Fort Caroline, they were determined to sail to America and destroy both the fort and the Huguenots.  Not only were the territorial interests of Spain at issue, but more importantly, their hatred of the Huguenots, whom they considered heretics. The Spaniards destroyed Fort Caroline and subsequently established nearby St. Augustine on September 8, 1565. It is important to understand that Fort Caroline is approximately 15 months older than the town of St. Augustine.

Jean Ribault was a French naval officer and a devout Huguenot Protestant. In 1562, he led an expedition to explore Florida and before he returned to France, he set up a stone marker on the land in Florida claiming the land for France.   It was decided that the French Huguenots would sail back to Florida to set up a French colony establishing a refuge for the French Huguenots in the New World.  However, upon his return to France, Ribault found himself on the losing end of a religious battle in France.  Hoping to find refuge, he escaped to England only to find himself imprisoned in the Tower of London. 

With Ribault imprisoned, it was decided that another Huguenot leader, Rene Laudonniere, would return to Florida in 1564 to establish the colony.  Laudonniere was successful in establishing Fort Caroline near what is now St. Augustine, Florida in 1564.  Upon his release from prison in 1565, Ribault led another expedition and set sail for Florida to join Laudonniere and to establish another colony.   

Ribault was not the only one en route to Florida.  King Philip II of Spain had commissioned Pedro Menendez de Aviles as his Adelantado and as a Knight in the Order of Santiago to sail to Florida with instructions to dislodge the French Huguenots (Menendez’s role as a knight is discussed more fully in the article entitled The American Crusade).  Upon their arrival to Florida, both fleets actually confronted one another on the seas.  Ribault tried to defeat the Spanish in a naval battle, but his ships were destroyed by a hurricane and he and those with him found themselves stranded near what is now Daytona. 

In the meantime, the Spanish chose a land route to reach Fort Caroline before Ribault could return.  With the exception of those few who managed to escape, the Huguenots were massacred by the Spanish.  The Spaniards posted the following inscription over those Huguenots who they hung:  “I do this, not as to Frenchmen, but as to Lutherans”.[1]  (emphasis added)

The Martyrdom of Jean Ribault

After the slaughter at Fort Caroline, Ribault was eventually captured by the Spanish and executed.  Below is an account of Ribault’s death and martyrdom taken from  Fort Caroline and Its Leader by Charles E. Bennett (emphasis has been added):

"Solis de Meras, a Spaniard and an eyewitness to the scene, described the massacre in the following words:

‘The Adelantado [Menendez], taking Jean Ribault behind the sand hills, among the bushes where the others had their hands tied behind them, he said to these and all others as he had done before, that they had four leagues to go after night, and that he could not permit them to go unbound; and after they were all tied, he asked if they were Catholics or Lutherans, or if any of them desired to make confession.”[2]

“Undoubtedly Menendez was cruel and bigoted, but he was a product of his era. He hated Lutherans, Huguenots, and other members of the new religious sects and showed them no mercy” [3]

“Jean Ribault replied, "that all who were there were of the new religion," and he then began to repeat the psalm, "Domine! memento Mei"; and having finished, he said, "that from dust they came and to dust they must return, and that in twenty years, more or less, he must render his final account; and that the Adelantado might do with them as he chose." The Adelantado then ordered all to be killed, in the same order and at the same mark, as had been done to the others. He spared only the fifers, drummers and trumpeters, and four others who said that they were Catholics.

The man who actually killed Ribault first inquired of him whether the French commander did not expect his soldiers to obey orders, Ribault answered, "Yes." Then the Spaniard said, "I propose to obey the orders of my commander also. I am ordered to kill you." The Psalm that Ribault recited before the dagger was thrust into his body was the 132^nd Psalm which begins “Lord, remember David"; but Ribault began it, according to an eyewitness, with ‘Lord, remember me.’”[4]

"History has justifiably recognized the greatness of Jean Ribault. He and his followers chose to die for principle rather than recant and abandon their religion."[5]

The Spiritual Roots of America

When Ribault recited Psalm 132, he spoke a "creative word" into the spiritual realm declaring God’s true purpose for him coming to America. It was at that time that Satan and the kingdom of darkness understood that Jean Ribault and many other Huguenots were willing to lay down their lives for Jesus Christ. Jean Ribault and other Huguenots with him overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Ephesians 3 [10] "[The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) and in the heavenly sphere."   Amplified Bible

Ribault had the same heart’s desire as King David in seeking a place in the New World where God might be worshipped in freedom. Just as David vowed in Psalm 132 to find a habitation for God, so did Ribault.

Psalm 127 [1] Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

Immediately before Ribault was martyred, he quoted Psalm 132.  Just as King David swore an oath to the Lord to find a habitation for God, Ribault also sought to find a habitation for God. Ribault went into covenant with Yahweh with this oath, and at that time, the LORD laid down the foundation and the spiritual seed of our nation in 1565.

Many others came from different countries to this land and were eager to either buy or take land from the Indians. However, it is interesting to note that Ribault's interest in the land was to find a habitation for God where God could be worshipped in spirit and truth and in freedom. For God to build the house and to plant the seed of America as a Christian nation, a covenant was necessary between God and man just as God went into covenant with Abraham and Moses. All other covenants between men, whether they were covenants between two individuals or between two countries, would be building upon the foundation already laid in 1565.  Needless to say, many of these covenants were not pleasing unto the LORD.  Although Ribault claimed the land for France, there is no record, at least to my knowledge, that Ribault himself purchased or went into any covenant for land with the Indians. In addition to Ribault, Rene Laudonniere, Governor at Fort Caroline, laid down the roots of government in America.

Martyrdom:  Revelation 6:9-11, Revelation 12:11, Revelation 20:4 and others speak of the importance of the death of the martyr. Among other things, the death of the martyr brings damage to the kingdom of darkness. Just as praise and wielding the Word of God over the enemy weakens or pulls down principalities [Psalm 149:6-9], so too does the death of the martyr [Revelation 12:7-13].

We know that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father.  However, as Stephen was being martyred, rather than being seated, Stephen saw Jesus "standing" at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56).  Scripture tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father because His work is complete. 

For Jesus to stand at the martyrdom of Steven speaks volumes of how He views those who are willing to lay down their lives for Him.

LORD, Remember Ribault:  Isaiah 62 [6] I have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, who will never hold their peace day or night; you who [are His servants and by your prayers] put the LORD in remembrance [of His promises], keep not silence.  [7] And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her a praise in the earth. 

My Prayer:  “Father, we bring you into remembrance of Ribault and the French Huguenots and their wiliness to lay down their lives for You and their heart’s desire to find a place here in America where they could worship You in spirit and in truth.  LORD, Remember Us: And, we bring You into remembrance because there is still a remnant in America whose heart’s desire is to worship you in spirit and truth.  And, we will not keep silent nor give You rest until we come into the fullness of the seeds that were planted here in America in 1565”.   

Revelation 12 [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

 African Roots in America 

            It is significant to note that when the Huguenots came to America they brought “free black men” with them.  They were identified as Moors, [6] meaning Muslims of African descent, thus establishing a spiritual basis of racial freedom and equality in the land.  More than likely, Rene de Laudonniere, the founder of Ft. Caroline, met the Moors that came to America with him while he was in Morocco.  Interestingly, the first Muslim nation to sign a peace treaty with America was Morocco in 1786.[7]

The Spanish saw these free black men as a threat and an infringement on their slave trade in nearby Cuba.  When the Spanish murdered the Huguenots, they invoked the principality “Santiago, the Moor Slayer” to come to their aid in the battle.  With their war cries of “Santiago, Santiago”,[8] they also massacred the Moors who came to America with the Huguenots. 

When the Spanish invoked the principality, Santiago, new gods came to the gates of Fort Caroline and America and subsequently, war ensued.  This can be understood in the context of Judges 5:8 and Daniel 10:13:

Judges 5 [8] They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?

Daniel 10 [13] But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there3 with the kings of Persia.

These Scriptures, among others, clearly reveal that warring geographical principalities exist and are very much involved in the activities of mankind, operating behind those who allow it.  Ephesians 6 even warns us that our battle is in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12).

It was at this same time (the martyrdom of the Huguenots) in America’s history that the roots of slavery were established by the Spanish Conquistadors.  The Spanish had brought 500 or so African slaves on broad with them to America, and it was these 500 slaves that the Spanish used to build St. Augustine,[9] the first Spanish mission in America.  Thus began slavery and slave labor in America. 

Not only is it significant that the first Africans to set foot in America were free Africans, it is also significant that they were identified as Moors.  This was a derogatory term used by the Spanish to describe Muslims of African descent who had invaded their country in previous centuries. 

It should also be noted that the Moors that came to America with the Huguenots were not believers as the Huguenots referred to them as “infidels”.[10]  Similar to the “mixed multitude” accompanying Moses to the Promised Land on the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 12:37, Numbers 11:4), these infidels (as well as agnostics, and prisoners) accompanied the Huguenots to the New World. 

Exodus 12 [37] And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. [38] And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. (emphasis added)

Numbers 11 [4] And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? [5] We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

Those who settled in new lands did not always have the choice of who came with them.  Often times, to receive funding for their voyage and new colonies they were required to bring along with them others that a country may have wanted to rid themselves – hence, the mixed multitude.  

Just as the mixed multitude was a snare to Israel, the Moors proved to be extremely problematic for the Huguenots.  However, the Huguenots never compromised their beliefs for the Moors; rather, Laudonniere, the governor at Ft. Caroline, called them into accountability for their sins according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Barak Hussein Obama

With the understanding that the first Africans to arrive in America were also Muslims, then President Barrack Obama’s ancestry immediately becomes noteworthy! 

Whose son are you, young man?  

Scripture reveals that the sins of the fathers go down three and four generations.  We also know that the genealogy of someone was extremely important to the Israelites.  For example, after David killed Goliath, King Saul asked David “whose son are you, young man?”

1 Samuel 17 [55] And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth?  And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. [56] And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is. [57] And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. [58] And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite. (emphasis added)

It seems that David’s courage and character, spiritually as well as physically, in some way was a reflection of his father.  Thus, the ancestry of President Obama’s forefathers cannot be ignored – they are part of his spiritual DNA as well as his DNA in the natural.   They are part of his identity. 

That the character of Jesse was reflected in his son David should speak to all Christian fathers.

Who were his fathers?  Even though Barrack Obama was born in America, his father and grandfather, citizens of Kenya, were African Muslims.  His stepfather was Muslim as well and for a period of his life, Barrack Obama was raised in a Muslim country.  Even though Barrack Obama is a confessing Christian, he was raised with an appreciation of the faith of his ancestry – the Muslim faith.  When addressing Turkey’s Grand National Assembly in April of 2009, he reached out to Muslims saying:

“…So let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam. … We will convey our deep appreciation for the Islamic faith, which has done so much over the centuries to shape the world – including in my own country.  The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans.  Many other Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim-majority country -- I know, because I am one of them.”[11] (emphasis added)

Moreover, in a joint press availability session with President Gul of Turkey, President Obama stated,

“… although as I mentioned, we have a very large Christian population, we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”[12]

Many Americans were appalled that President Obama even dared to indicate that America was not a Christian nation – as though he was the first President to make such a bold claim.  In fact, President Obama was only echoing the beliefs of many of America’s Founding Fathers.

 As mentioned earlier, Morocco was the first Arab nation to recognize America as a nation, a detail not lost on President Obama.  He referred to this fact in his address to the Arab nations when speaking in Cairo:

“I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story.  The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco.  In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, ‘The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.’”[13]

President Obama was quoting from Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli (the official name of this treaty was the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary).  The treaty was actually comprised of individual treaties, the first signed with Morocco in 1786.  Collectively, these treaties were also known as the “Barbary Treaties” or the “Treaty of Tripoli”.  As a whole, the Treaty of Tripoli was signed in 1796-97, ratified by Congress and then signed into law by President John Adams in 1797 – eleven years after the individual treaty was signed with Morocco.  Article 11 of this treaty reads:

“As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,-as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen,-and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”[14] (emphasis has been added)

Article 11 confirms that America’s second President as well as the sitting Congress who ratified the Treaty of Tripoli, like Obama, did not consider America to be a Christian nation.  And like President Obama, they were certainly not offended by Islam nor did they want to offend the Arab nations concerning their practice of their religion. 

President Obama’s appreciation of Islam and his own Muslim ancestry is also echoed in a subsequent speech delivered in Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009.  The text of this speech, in its entirety, is included in the Appendix[15] and bears witness that Barrack Obama’s character – spiritually as well as physically – is truly a reflection of his Muslim forefathers.  In this speech he said,   

“There must 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 Holy Koran tells us, ‘Be conscious of God and speak always 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 interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience.  I'm a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims.   As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk.  As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam.  It was Islam -- at places like Al-Azhar -- that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment.  It was innovation in Muslim communities -- (applause) -- it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed.  Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.  And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.  (Applause.)” (emphasis has been added)

Obviously, the Muslim influence is there.  The Muslim name, Barack Hussein Obama, speaks for itself.  This too is a Biblical principal as names often defined a characteristic or the nature of a person.      

It is important to understand that the spiritual offspring of the Spanish who attacked Ft. Caroline and killed the Moors and the French Huguenots, both of whom the Spanish hated, would spiritually perceive Barrack Obama as a Moor.  They would also view him as a heretic in much the same way as their ancestors viewed the French Huguenots as heretics.  Even though the French Huguenots, like Barrack Obama, confessed to be Christians, the Spanish considered them heretics nonetheless because they would not come under the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope.  Of course, neither does Barrack Obama.

Like the first black men to arrive in America, Barrack Obama comes from a line of free men, whereas his wife is an offspring of slavery.  In this sense, they are both making history in America.  Like the first Africans to arrive in America, it can be said that Barrack Hussein Obama, like his father and grandfathers, is a Muslim of African descent and that he too is a Moor.  At least, he will be perceived as such by the spiritual offspring of the Spanish Conquistadors and the Knights of Santiago, as well as many other Americans! 

Ambassador for Islam:  In his speech given in Cairo Egypt and heard throughout the world, President Obama’s remarks bear witness against him, that like his forefathers, he too is an “Ambassador for Islam”.  Many Arabs took note that President Obama presented himself as a Teacher of the Muslim Religion even comparing him to Muslim’s religious leaders.  

Islam was at the very core of his address.  Even though he mentioned Jesus and Moses, it was only in passing.  Rather, at times, it seemed that President Obama was proselytizing for Islam.  His comments seemed to indicate that Islam could solve all of the world’s problems. 

            This was not missed by Muslim world leaders.  In his first interview following President Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egyptian President Mubarak shared his perception of President Obama’s personal views of Islam as reported by Reuters  and the Associated Press (emphasis has been added):

“He [President Obama] is a sympathetic man, and says the United States will not fight Islam because Islam is a heavenly religion”,[16] and

“Obama ‘sympathizes and says Islam is a heavenly religion like other religions’ … ‘President Obama is someone who differs from the other presidents of the United States’”[17]

Jesus said “Woe to the teachers of the law and Pharisees” who sat in Moses’ seat of authority and who traveled over sea and land to proselytize according to their own beliefs, but not according to God’s will:

Matthew 23 [15] Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.  (NIV)

Ambassador for Christ:  As Christians, we are called to be Ambassadors for Christ.  As a professing Christian, one would expect President Obama to choose to win converts for Jesus who alone can save.  Yet, rather than referring to those Scriptures of the Old Testament and the New Testament that testified of Jesus as the Messiah, President Obama quoted from the Koran.   President Obama presented Jesus Christ as nothing more than an equal, if that, of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, thus diminishing the very heart of Christianity. 

Instead, President Obama should have pointed to the Scriptures that reveal that the Mohammedans, who look to Ishmael as their spiritual father, are only the natural offspring of Abraham, not the spiritual offspring of Abraham, because Ishmael was the son of Abraham’s flesh.  On the other hand, Christians look to Abraham as their spiritual father because, like Isaac, we are the children of the promise, and for that reason, we are the true spiritual offspring of Abraham. (Galatians 4:21-30). 

Furthermore, President Obama should have pointed to the Scriptures that reveal that the spiritual offspring of Ishmael will never share in the promise of the spiritual offspring of Isaac (Galatians 4:30).  For that reason the spiritual offspring of Ishmael, including those who practice Islam, will always “spiritually” persecute the children of promise (Galatians 4:28-29). 

More to the point, once President Obama stepped into the “Seat of Moses”, he should have pointed to the Scriptures that reveal that Islam and Christianity are incompatible.  When Barrack Obama, a teacher of the civil law, wrongly took it upon himself to sit in Moses’ “Seat of Authority” presenting himself as a Teacher of the Law and a Teacher of Islam, he misrepresented the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Thus, he too is accountable for traveling over sea and land to proselytize according to his own beliefs rather than according to God’s will. (Matt 23:15)

Notice the differences between the beliefs of America’s first and highest-ranking government official, Governor Laudonniere, and today’s equivalent, President Obama concerning Islam.  When the spiritual roots of America were laid down, Moors were considered “Infidels”, not “Brethren.  In other words, the Huguenots were Ambassadors for Jesus Christ, but Obama is an Ambassador for Islam.

Civil Leaders are Ordained by God

Like all civil leaders, Barrack Obama is ordained of the Lord (Romans 13).  Moreover, it was in God’s timing and for His specific purposes that Barrack Hussein Obama was elected President of the United States. 

Today’s civil leaders, just like Pilate who gave the order to crucify Jesus, are conscious of the power and authority they wield.  However, like Pilate, they don’t understand that their earthly authority and power is given by God and they can abuse that power (Romans 13) (John 19:10-11).

Obviously, God can and does use the civil leaders He ordains to carry out His righteous purposes, even though they are not righteous themselves.  For example, God gave Pilate the power and authority to crucify Jesus in order that the words Jesus spoke concerning the kind of death He was to die would be fulfilled. (John 18:32)  Like righteous King David, who served God’s purpose in his own generation (Acts 13:36), today’s leaders also have a purpose in their own generation.  Even though King David was a righteous man whose heart was after God, God’s sovereign will does not depend on the righteousness of man, as was the case with Pilate.

Interestingly, Pilate realized that Jesus was an innocent man and not wanting to become involved with their religious matters, Pilate encouraged the Sanhedrin, the Jews High Court, to judge Jesus according to the Jewish law.  Instead, the Sanhedrin not only lied when they said that it was unlawful for them to put any man to death,[18] they also manipulated Pilate by threatening to go to Caesar with charges of high treason against Pilate himself (John 19:12).  Even today, we find religious leaders who turn religious battles into political battles – and vice versa – for their own selfish reasons. 

John 19:11 reveals that even though Pilate was guilty of sin, the Sanhedrin was guilty of a greater sin.  There are several reasons why one was more guilty than the other, but the one I want to emphasize is that Pilate was given an authority that the Sanhedrin was not.  Furthermore, Pilate never presented himself as an “expert of the law” in religious matters as they pertained to the Jewish law, whereas the Sanhedrin did.  Similarly, when a civil leader like President Obama goes outside his boundaries as a civil leader and takes it upon himself to sit in the “Seat of Moses”, yet misrepresents God’s righteous laws as he did in his address to the Arabs in Cairo, Egypt, then he is guilty of the greater sin, just as in the case of the Sanhedrin. 

Prologue

As can be seen from the short discussion above about President Obama and his Moorish ancestry, the spiritual seeds that were sown in America by the Huguenots and their martyrdom by the Spanish are prologue to current events in America.  What seems incomprehensible in the natural realm, such as our economic meltdown in 2008 or an African American elected as president of the United States, becomes clear as the spiritual dimensions of our history are revealed and understood.  The spiritual truths of our past are also prologue to our future, such as the coming persecution of spiritual Christians by carnal Christians and the State.

            The spiritual significance of God’s timing and purposes for Barrack Obama, and the spiritual significance of the Moors and the Moor Slayers in America are further explored in other articles on our website.   

© Gwen R. Thomas, 2003 [revised September, 2006, June 2009]

Appendix – President Obama’s June 4, 2009 Cairo Speech

(Emphasis has been added to key points)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
(Cairo, Egypt)

________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               June 4, 2009
 

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
ON A NEW BEGINNING

Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt

1:10 P.M. (Local)

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you very much.  Good afternoon.  I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions.  For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning; and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement.  And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress.  I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt.  And I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country:  Assalaamu alaykum. (Applause.)

We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world -- tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate.  The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars.  More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.  Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims.  The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights.  All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity.  And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest 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 dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight.  I know there's been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that 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 other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors.  There must 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 Holy Koran  tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always 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 interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience.  I'm a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims.   As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk.  As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam.  It was Islam -- at places like Al-Azhar -- that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment.  It was innovation in Muslim communities -- (applause) -- it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed.  Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.  And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.  (Applause.)

I also know that Islam has always been a part of America's story.  The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco.  In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims."  And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.  They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they've excelled in our sports arenas, they've won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch.  And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers -- Thomas Jefferson -- kept in his personal library.  (Applause.)

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed.  That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't.  And I consider it 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 crude 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 ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words -- within our borders, and around the world.  We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept:  E pluribus unum -- "Out of many, one."  

Now, 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 -- and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average.  (Applause.)

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion.  That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders.  That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it.  (Applause.)

So let there be no doubt:  Islam is a part of America.  And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations -- to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God.  These things we share.  This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, 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; and if we understand that 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 a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere.  When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk.  When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations.  When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean.  When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience.  (Applause.)  That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century.  That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.

And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace.  For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes -- and, yes, religions -- subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests.  Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating.  Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail.  So 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.)

Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite:  We must face these tensions squarely.  And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as 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.

In Ankara, I made clear that America is not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam.  (Applause.)  We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security -- because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject:  the killing of innocent men, women, and children.  And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together.  Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support.  We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I'm aware that there's still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11.  But let us be clear:  Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day.  The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody.  And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale.  They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach.  These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

Now, 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 now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can.  But that is not yet the case.

And that's why we're partnering with a coalition of 46 countries.  And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken.  Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists.  They have killed in many countries.  They have killed people of different faiths -- but more than any other, they have killed Muslims.  Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.  The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as -- it is as if he has killed all mankind.  (Applause.)  And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.  (Applause.)  The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism -- it is an important part of promoting peace. 

Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  That's 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've been displaced.  That's 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 ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.  (Applause.)  Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said:  "I hope that 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 forge a better future -- and to leave Iraq to Iraqis.  And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people -- (applause) -- I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources.  Iraq's sovereignty is its own. And that's why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August.  That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's 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.  But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles.  Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country.  The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals.  We are taking concrete actions to change course.  I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.  (Applause.)

So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law.  And we will do so in partnership with Muslim 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 Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich.  Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today.  Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful.  Threatening Israel with destruction -- or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews -- is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke 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 -- Muslims and Christians -- have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.  For more than 60 years they've endured the pain of dislocation.  Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead.  They endure the daily humiliations -- large and small -- that come with occupation.  So let there be no doubt:  The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable.  And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.  (Applause.)

For decades then, there has been a stalemate:  two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive.  It's easy to point fingers -- for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond.  But 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 Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest.  And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires.  (Applause.)  The obligations -- 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 whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation.  But it was not violence that won full and equal rights.  It was a peaceful and determined 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's a story with a simple truth:  that violence is a dead end.  It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus.  That's not how moral authority is claimed; that's how it is surrendered.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build.  The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities.  To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel's right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's.  The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements.  (Applause.)  This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace.  It is time for these settlements to stop.  (Applause.)

And 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, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress. 

And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab 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 other problems.  Instead, 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 to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and 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.  Likewise, 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.  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 Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra -- (applause) -- as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer.  (Applause.)

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 years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us.  In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government.  Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians.  This history is well known.  Rather than remain trapped in the past, I've made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward.  The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.

I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve.  There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect.  But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point.  This is not simply about America's interests.  It's about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not.  No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons.  And that's why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.  (Applause.)  And any nation -- including Iran -- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.  That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I'm hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.  (Applause.)

I know -- I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq.  So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.
 
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.  Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people.  America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.  But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things:  the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.  These are not just American ideas; they are human rights.  And that is why we will support them everywhere.  (Applause.)

Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise.  But this much is clear:  Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure.  Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.  America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them.  And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments -- provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they're out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.  (Applause.)  So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power:  You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party.  Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Barack Obama, we love you!

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance.  We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition.  I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country.  That is the spirit we need today.  People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul.  This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there's a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of somebody else's faith.  The richness of religious diversity must be upheld -- whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.  (Applause.)  And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.  We must always examine the ways in which we protect it.  For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.  That's why I'm committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat. 

Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit -- for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear.  We can't disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.
 
In fact, faith should bring us together.  And that's why we're forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.  That's why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.  Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action -- whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster. 

The sixth issue -- the sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.  (Applause.)  I know –- I know -- and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue.  I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.  (Applause.)  And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now, let me be clear:  Issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam.  In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we've seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.  Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons.  (Applause.)  Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity -- men and women -- to reach their full potential.  I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice.  And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.  (Applause.)

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.

I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory.  The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home.  Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities.  In all nations -- including America -- this change can bring fear.  Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities -- those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith. 

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied.  There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures.  The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.  In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.

And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work.  Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development.  But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century -- (applause) -- and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas.  I'm emphasizing such investment within my own country.  And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.

On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America.  (Applause.)  At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities.  And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.

On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries.  And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs.  We'll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops.  Today I'm announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio.  And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.

All these things must be done in partnership.  Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address.  But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek -- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected.  Those are mutual interests.  That is the world we seek.  But we can only achieve it together.

I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge this new beginning.  Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress.  Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort -- that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.  There's so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years.  But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward.  And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country -- you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort -- a sustained effort -- to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It's easier to start wars than to end them.  It's easier to blame others than to look inward.  It's easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share.  But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.  There's one rule that lies at the heart of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  (Applause.)  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 hearts of billions around the world.  It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us:  "O mankind!  We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us:  "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us:  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."  (Applause.)

The people of the world can live together in peace.  We know that is God's vision.  Now that must be our work here on Earth.

Thank you.  And may God's peace be upon you.  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)

END        
2:05 P.M. (Local)

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Scripture quotations taken from The AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.  All rights reserved. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION^®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. 

The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society.  Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Endnotes