Following the long awaited historic speech at the Grand Hall of Cairo University on Thursday, May 4th 2009, political analysts came up with several theories and hypothesis about what President Obama’s speech portends for the civilized world. Many others were quick to analyze the impact it has on America’s relation with the Muslim world. Whilst many maintained optimism about the positive impact of the speech, others expressed pessimistic views.

Although scholars and analyst vary in view about the historic speech, the general contention is that President Obama has done for the first time in American history what no other United States President has ever done – reaching out to not only the Muslim world, but also other faiths in the interest of global peace, solidarity and security. President Obama wasted no time, by making the purpose of his speech clear to the world. After a brilliant introductory greeting using the traditional Muslim way - assalaamu alaykum, Obama unveiled the purpose of his trip when he said:

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition.”

The marathon speech was based on the daunting challenges that have caused sharp divisions, suspicion and the lack of trust between the United States and the Muslim world in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City.

By using history in defending Islam’s contributions to science and technology, including mathematics, and by reminding the world that Morocco as an Islamic state was the first to recognize the United States of America, President Obama has championed a nouvelle parable in America’s commitment to strengthen and embolden America’s relation with the Muslim world. Citing America’s historical ties with the Muslim World, President Obama made it clear that:

“The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States.”

The President’s historic reflections demonstrate that America has indeed changed as echoed throughout his campaign – a change that has genuinely reversed America’s relation with the rest of the world – relations that are based on mutual respect, honesty and mutual interest.

Leaving no stone unturned, he truthful pondered the compelling challenges of relations between America and the Muslim World; the Israeli - Palestine conflict and the Middle East peace process, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the nuclear standoff with Iran, and democracy and economic development.

He not only quickly draw those lines, but  also spoke of his administration's resolve to working amicably with Muslims, offered a new paradigm on pressing global issues- confront violent extremism in all of its forms; the Middle East peace process and the Israeli- Palestine conflict, the global nuclear impasse, religious freedom, women’s right, democracy and economic development around the world.

Throughout his speech, honesty and truthfulness was the driving force used in bringing to light compelling prescriptive measures in the global quest of dealing with complex issues such as the Israeli – Palestine conflict. For example, he made it clear that his administration does not legitimately support Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory, with emphasis that such settlements must seize in the interest of achieving lasting peace.

By condemning the occupation and settlements on Palestinian land, and the use of violence against Israel, President Obama demonstrated his understanding of the Israel - Palestine problem and America’s resolve to pursue a nouvelle approach to one of the world’s most complex crisis.

An analysis of the President’s approach would bring to light the realities of the root causes of the conflict and better prescriptions on how to contain the onslaught. With such an understanding, he was not hesitant to emphasize a two state solution as a constructive way forward in dealing with the crisis. A recognition and respect for both Palestine and Israeli rights of existence as nation states, are the building blocks to ending the crisis. This was exactly what the President emphasized in his speech.

On the global nuclear impasse, it was clear that a shift in the previous administrations policy has already taken shape. The Obama administration understands the right of nations to have nuclear capabilities only when obligations are met under the Nuclear –Non-Proliferation Treaty. It was therefore clear from his speech that his administration would work with Tehran only if its nuclear ambitions are only intended for peaceful purposes – Energy – a shift from the hostile policy of the previous administration.

He defended the war in Afghanistan but was quick to point out that the war in Iraq was as a result of the lack of judgment and shortcoming on the part of the United States at the time. Leadership requires honesty, openness and coming to terms with the reality, and that is exactly what the President demonstrated.

His campaign pledge of pulling troops out of Iraq, closing the Guantanamo detention facility, and using developmental aid as another front in improving the socio-economic situation of the embattled Afghans and Pakistani people may certainly go down well in the global quest for attaining a lasting solution to another complex global crisis of modern times.

Although he defended democracy and advocated for transparency and cooperation in global economic development, many pundits were quick to observe that delivering the speech “in a country where an aging dictator is passing power to his son; where the country is crumbling to dust because of autocracy and stagnation,” President Obama did not champion democracy. How that will shape the future of democracy in the changing world of our times remains to be unknown.

What is however certain is that, by making clear his administration's resolve in working with governments accountable to their people, and by emphasizing human rights as a fundamental mechanism for any successful government, President Obama has demonstrated his administration's commitment to promoting democracy around the world. It is also important to understand that, although he emphasized that America will not impose any system of government on any other nation, the president argued that:

"I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere".

Tolerance was indeed the epitome of President Obama's historic speech- a fundamental global epitome of maintaining peace among the children of Abraham.

Citing the Qu'ran, the Torah and the Bible, the Cairo speech did not only open a new chapter in the relations between America and the Muslim world, but the messages of peace, love, honesty and mutual respect will continue to be both a global bridging mechanism, and an embodiment of hope that will shape generations.