Last June, U.S. President Barack Obama called for a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, based on a commitment to open dialogue and equal partnership; a new beginning that confronts tensions between us and commits all of us to doing the hard work necessary to resolve them, a new beginning that acknowledges we each have a role and a responsibility in solving the common problems we face, said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a speech in Doha.
One such problem where our policies and principles converge -- and it is a problem of great concern to all of us – is violent extremism, said Secretary of State Clinton. "Many of the nations ... worldwide have already experienced firsthand the devastating effects of violent extremism. In particular, the groups who operate from bases in Afghanistan and the border region with Pakistan have killed people of many faiths in many countries."
During the past year, extremists aligned with al-Qa’ida have murdered some two thousand civilians in Pakistan alone, continued Secretary Clinton. "These included people participating in peaceful religious processions in Karachi and women and children gathered at a local market in Peshawar.
"Extremists have recently attacked pilgrims in Iraq with the intent of destabilizing the government and reigniting civil war. In Nigeria, extremists are exacerbating Muslim-Christian tensions. In Somalia, they are working to take down the government. And in Yemen, al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula seeks to exploit internal and regional divisions to create a new base for global terrorism," said Secretary of State Clinton:
"Many faith leaders and citizens from Muslim communities have voiced their outrage at those who claim to kill in the name of God. And we share this view. And we are determined to prevent extremists from driving wedges between Muslims and non-Muslims—in America or anywhere. "
"We all have a stake in this fight, and the United States is committed to working in partnership with Muslim-majority countries as we face this threat together," said Secretary of State Clinton. "Because Islam is—and must be—an important part of the solution in confronting violent extremism."
"We all have a stake in this fight, and the United States is committed to working in partnership with Muslim-majority countries."
