Obama gets personal in outreach to Muslims

CAIRO, June 4 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama wove his life's story and religious teachings Thursday as he reached out to the Muslim world from a podium in Cairo.

"I have come here to see a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," Obama said during a speech at Cairo University in Egypt's ancient capital.

He said he recognized that overcoming mistrust and tensions building for decades won't happen overnight.

"But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts," Obama told the audience estimated to be about 3,000.

He drew upon his experience, noting that he is a Christian but his Kenyan father came from a family that includes "generations of Muslims."

His experience "guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't," he said. "And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear."

Muslims, too, must fight the "crude" stereotyping of America as a "self-interested empire."

Confronting tension and conflict is a shared responsibility, Obama said, because all nations and peoples depend upon each other.

"Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared," he said.

Obama closed by quoting passages from the Koran, Talmud and the Bible that called for peace and praised the peacemakers.

"There is one rule that lies at the core of every religion -- that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples," Obama said. "The people of the world can live together in peace."