President Obama Speech to Muslim World in Cairo.

[Yamina Bouhaddioui]

President Obama delivered a speech on US-Muslim relations from Cairo University.The president called for renewed Middle East peace talks as well as an agenda for economic and social development in the region.

[Khalil Zakari]

Educational materials related to President Obama's speech

Mr. Zogby tries to collect opinions on topics of Arab-American importance. Read what he said after President Obama’s speech in Cairo on June 4, 2009.

James J. Zogby, President, Arab American Institute:

It was an agenda-setter, a menu designed to address a wide range of problems across a broad region
It was a "big speech," more like a "State of the Union" than the Philadelphia "Race speech." It was an agenda-setter, a menu designed to address a wide range of problems across a broad region. In that regard, it was evidence of how massive an undertaking will be required to heal these many divides.

In speaking with friends in the Middle East, this morning, I was impressed how many parts of the speech resonated. Everyone could take away something - peace activists, advocates for democracy and women's rights, religious minorities, etc. In that regard, the menu worked.
What concerns me, though, is that there was so much to the speech, that its central thrust will be lost here in the US… I fear that what may be lost is the fact that the President was also talking to us - about what we need to know about Islam and our relationships with the many parts of the Muslim world. Fixing our side of this divide will take some work.


In the first paragraph, Mr. Zogby said the speech was an agenda setter.
What is an agenda?
What is on the agenda set by President Obama?
Which item on the agenda is most important to you and why?
Would you add anything?

In the third paragraph, Mr. Zogby notes the speech was also a message to Americans. He says Americans need to know more about Islam and more about the Muslim world.
What does he mean by “Fixing our side of this divide”?
In your opinion, what are the most important things Americans should know about Islam?
In your opinion, what are the most important things Americans should know about Morocco?

Follow up Activities:
Write a poll to find out what Americans do know about Islam and Morocco.
Write a letter to an American high school class about your impressions of the speech

Open Attached PDF file for Obama' Speach in Text
obama.anewbeginning.pdf