Obama: Religious freedom being tested

CAIRO, June 4 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday in Cairo the spirit of tolerance, so necessary for religions to thrive, is being tested today in many ways.

"Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. ... People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul," Obama said in his major speech to the Muslim world at Cairo University.

"Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's," he said. "The richness of religious diversity must be upheld."

Religious freedom is key for peoples to live together, and ways of protecting religious freedom must always be re-examined, he said.

In the United States, Obama said, charitable giving rules make it difficult for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligations, and he pledged to work with American Muslims to ensure they can fulfill zakat, or tithing.

Also, it is important for Western countries to allow Muslims to practice their religion as they see fit, he said.

"We cannot disguise hostility toward any religion by the pretense of liberalism," Obama said. "Indeed, faith should bring us together."

The president highlighted several interfaith projects in the United States and around the world that bring together Christians, Muslims and Jews.

"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," Obama said.