BACKGROUND: Obama open to Islam in writings, comments

Jun 2, 2009, 1:24 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama's speech to the Islamic world Thursday from Egypt is part of an effort to engage the wider Muslim world and discuss how Arab countries can help move the peace process forward.

Obama, whose personal connections to Islam include the Arabic middle name Hussein, has commented on the Islamic religion and culture frequently in his books and interviews.

-- From his autobiographical book, Audacity of Hope:

'In Indonesia, I had spent two years at a Muslim school ... I studied the Koran.'

'Lolo (Obama's step father) followed a brand of Islam .... I looked to Lolo for guidance.'

'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'

'We are no longer just a Christian nation ... We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation, and a nation of non-believers.'

-- From his interview with Al Arabiya on January 27, his first interview after being inaugurated.

' ... If we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.'

'My job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world (and) that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.'

My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives.'

'My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect.'

'I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down. But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.'

-- From Obama's speech in Turkey's Parliament on April 6, 2009:

' ... The United States is not at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.'

' ... I also want to be clear that Americas relationship with the Muslim world cannot and will not be based on opposition to al-Qaeda ... We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree.'

- From remarks at the Tophane Cultural Center in Istanbul, April 7, 2009:

'In the Muslim world, this notion that somehow everything is the fault of the Israelis lacks balance - because there's two sides to every question.'

'I say the same thing to my Jewish friends, which is you have to see the perspective of the Palestinians. Learning to stand in somebody else's shoes to see through their eyes, that's how peace begins. And it's up to you to make that happen.'