Jerusalem Sunset 2012
“I must work the work of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.” John9:4
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of the darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
But let us who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” I Thessalonians 5:1-9
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:1-12
It is well known that the last seven years are equally divided into two parts, 1260 days and 1260 days. The first half is known as “The Tribulations,” while the second half is known as the “Great Tribulations.”
Within the “Great Tribulations” period, there will be a time known as “Jacob’s Trouble.” This will be a time of unparalleled terror that never has been experienced on this earth or will ever be experienced again.
Thank God there will be a catching away of the living saints who are still alive when the Rapture takes place. God also tells us that all who have kept the word of His patience will be kept from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This temptation could be the numbering system or the mark of the beast that will surely come about as the monetary system fails worldwide.
The Antichrist will be Satan’s greatest deception upon a sleeping Church that ignores the signs of the times. Satan has spent almost 2000 years, as the god of this world, preparing a plan for the man that he will use.
Many Christians have criticized the Jews for not recognizing the first coming of Christ, yet the spiritual leaders today are doing the same thing by ignoring the signs of the times.
God will continue to allow catastrophic calamities to strike America until they acknowledge the imminent return of Jesus Christ. There is much sorrow to come to the body of Christ worldwide until the day of the Rapture.
Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to morning and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:8-10)
How can you not see the spiritual erosion and the physical destruction that has occurred since 2008? While a small percentage of Americans have been turned over to a reprobate mind, according to Romans 1, half of the nation is fine with this abominable lifestyle that reeks of ungodliness. Their silence is complicity.
America could once say, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12.
There is much sorrow to come to America. Please wake up, America; your leaders have led you astray as a bird that hasteth to the snare and knoweth not that it is for his life. Proverbs 7:23
I will begin by giving you some information that should raise red flags in your thinking process.
The Anti-Christ is not a mythical being or a fictional character, but he is a mortal man who will usher in the last 7 years of this age, being indwelt by Lucifer himself for the last 3 ½ years.
Anti-Christ is the Devil’s greatest deception ever presented to mankind. Don’t be deceived; forget about pre-conceived ideas about how everything is supposed to take place according to men’s theories.
The Second Coming is in clear view today, and Christians will never suffer God’s wrath but are subject to the calamities that befall a sinful nation. Jesus gave simple signs of His Second Coming. The signs were meant to be understood by the farmer, the philosopher, the janitor, and the C.E.O.
Since we live in such an age of deception, trust the Lord and His Holy Word for absolute truth. Live each day with the promise that He will keep us from that hour that shall come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelations 3:10
There will be a rapture before the Second Coming.
Some basic characteristics of the Antichrist:
He will be a mortal man.
He will rise out of a gentile nation.
He will rise to power quickly.
He will be charismatic.
He will be a great orator.
He will understand dark sentences.
He will be different from his predecessors.
He will be a master of deceit.
He will be very intelligent.
He will be proud.
He will be arrogant.
He will captivate the minds and support of celebrities, stars, and intellectuals.
He will cause people to worship him in their hearts.
He will cause the multitudes to support his causes.
He will have a bloodline that will trace back to the Assyrian Empire.
He will oppose the truth while mocking God’s Word.
He will possess great power, but not of his own.
He will be the head of a powerful army.
He will be in control of a large economy.
He will change laws and times.
He will preach a universal message of peace, hope, and change.
He will be a Muslim.
He will be an advocate for Islam.
He will be likened to Nimrod in opposing God’s established rule.
He will be the last World Leader to oppose God’s moral code.
He will be as Judas Iscariot, never knowing that Satan has entered into him.
He will destroy many through his policy, beginning in The Land of Ham.
He will persecute and kill Christians and Jews through his minions before the end.
“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without hand. Daniel 8:24-25
A.W. Pink, an English Christian Evangelist born in the nineteenth century, listed some names from the Holy Scriptures that could easily describe the person of Anti-Christ.
- The Bloody and Deceitful Man-Psalm 5:6
- The Man of the Earth-Psalm 10:18
- The Mighty Man-Palm 52:1
- The Enemy-Psalm 55:3
- The Adversary-Psalm 74-8
- The Head Over Many Countries-Psalm 110:6
- The Violent Man-Psalm 140:1
- The Assyrian-Isa 10:5 & 12
- The King of Babylon-Isa 14:4
- The Son of the Morning- Isa 14:12
- The Abominable Branch Isa 14:19
- The Spoiler-Isa 16:4
- The Branch of the Terrible Ones-Ezk 21: 25-27
- The King of Tyre-Ezk 28:12
- The Little (i.e., “Younger”) Horn-Daniel 7:8
- The Coming Prince-Dan 9:26
- The Vile Person-Dan 11:21
- The Willful King -Dan 11:36
- The Idol Shepherd Zech-11:16-17
- The Man of Sin, Son of Perdition-11 Thess 2:3
- The Wicked One-11 Thess 2:8
- The Lawless One-11 Thess 2:8 (RSV), vs. 9
- The Antichrist-1 John 2:22
- The Angel of the Bottomless Pit-Rev. 9:11
- The Beast-Rev. 11:7
So, we can all see from the Holy Scriptures that the Bible is by no means silent about the person of Anti-Christ. This is not the spirit of the antichrist spoken about in I John 2:18 and I John 4:3.
While these scriptures do tell us that there are many antichrists in the world, there is only one anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ is a mortal man that Satan will indwell for the last three and a half years before the Second Advent of Christ.
This man known as Anti-Christ will serve for the first three and a half years of his seven-year reign on his own merits and simple inspiration and direction of the god of this world, better known as Satan. In the middle of his reign, Satan will enter into his body just as he entered into Judas Iscariot.
These are the only two men in the Bible that Satan himself enters into. Because the world is living in an age of deception, in the last days, most people, saved and unsaved, will either not recognize Anti-Christ or they will not be willing to bring themselves to the fact that they have been deceived by this man that only talked about peace and equal rights.
This is a man who, through peace and his foreign policy, will set on fire the Middle East; he will incite Muslims worldwide by being an apologist for Islam while professing to be a practicing Christian. This man that Satan has prepared for the finale of human history on this side of the Second Advent of Christ will be Satan’s greatest deception on mankind.
In reality, this mortal man will be Satan incarnate. Satan personified. Satan, through this man’s body, will bring division, destruction, and disaster. He will equip with arms, train and encourage soldiers of Islam that Islam is a great religion of peace that guides his convictions.
In the end, he will be the force behind the attempt to annihilate the Jewish state, but he will be destroyed when he is met by the Prince of Princes, the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ. Who is this man? Certainly, God knows who this man is and will use him to fulfill His Holy will and divine purpose.
The internet seems to be lit up with a lot of speculations about President Obama. Some feel that he is like an anti-Christ, but not the anti-Christ. Some say that he is anti-Christ, and they seem to have amassed some compelling facts from his past activities.
Joined with his past, we have his and his administration’s current immoral behavior concerning same-sex marriage, Planned Parenthood endorsements, and his continued actions and alliances with Israel’s enemies.
There are some rabbis and Bible researchers who are even claiming that hidden codes within the text of the Bible point to him as the Anti-Christ.
On the other hand, again, There are some well-known Christian leaders-televangelist/Pastors/Teachers, and authors of numerous prophetic books that say President Obama could not be the Anti-Christ because the Church has to be in Heaven before the Anti-Christ can be revealed.
Well, these, of course, are the ones that hold to the belief as I do that there will be a pre-tribulation rapture. Then there are the mid-tribulation, pre-wrath, and post-tribulation rapture theories.
These are all good Christian men and women who love the Lord and have studied more than most of us, but they can’t be right, and they can’t be wrong.
I can assure believers of this: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:9
Believers in Jesus Christ are not subject to the wrath of God, and all true believers in Christ have that promise from the Word of God.
Nevertheless, that does not negate the clear biblical truth that believers will continually be subjected to the wrath of Satan.
He is full of wrath because his time of imprisonment for 1000 years during the Millennial reign of Christ is right in front of him. We can see Satan’s fury every day in the events that are taking place, mostly in the Middle East and beyond.
Fortunately, the Lord gave many remarkable signs to warn His people about His Second Advent that even a fool could not err from the truth when exposed to the daily news.
God has chosen many methods to warn His people. He gave His Word to enlighten us in our daily lives and the promise of His continued presence to alert us to impending dangers.
He gives us celestial warnings from the heavens, such as the sun, the moon, and the stars, about catastrophic calamities coming upon the earth.
He warns us about disruptions from under the earth, such as earthquakes and volcanoes.
He warns us about corrupt and immoral societies, uprising peoples, and power-hungry rulers.
If we look just at the signs that Jesus gave us in the great Olivet discourse, the teachings of the Apostle Paul, and the warnings of all the Old Testament prophets about the last days, we should be able to summarize pretty quickly how close we are to the end-time finale.
“Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me, kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me, princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” Proverbs 8:14-16
“Thou art my battle ax and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;” Jeremiah 51:20
Many shall be purified and made white and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom with all thy understanding. Proverbs 4:7
Obama’s speech in Cairo: June 04, 2009
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions.
Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning for over a thousand years, and Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement for over a century. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality and the hospitality of the people of Egypt.
I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu Alaykum.
We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world- tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate.
The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, conflict, and religious wars.
More recently, tensions have been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations.
Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims.
The attacks of September 11th, 2001, and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians have led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to American and Western countries but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.
So long as our differences define our relationship, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace and who promote conflict rather than cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
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.
Instead, they overlap and share common principles—principles of justice and progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.
I recognize that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer all the complex questions that brought us to this point in the time I have.
But I am convinced that to move forward, we must openly say things we hold in our hearts that are too often said only behind closed doors.
There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other, learn from each other, respect one another, and seek common ground.
The Holy Koran says, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” That is what I will try to do- to speak the truth the best I can, humbled by the task before us and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.
Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims.
As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the Azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
As a history student, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. At places like Al-Azhar University, Islam carried the light of learning for many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment.
Innovation in Muslim communities developed the order of algebra, our magnetic compass and navigation tools, our mastery of ones and printing, and our understanding of how disease spreads and can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires, timeless poetry and cherished music, elegant calligraphy, and places of peaceful contemplation.
And through history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and radical equality.
I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. 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.
They have fought in our wars, served in governments, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim- American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers-Thomas Jefferson- kept in this personal library.
So, I knew Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that the partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
However, that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.
The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of a revolution against an empire.
We were founded upon the idea that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words within our borders and around the world.
We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E Pluribus Unum: “Out of many, one.”
Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique.
The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America. Still, its promise exists for all who come to our shores—that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy higher-than-average incomes and education.
Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from practicing one’s religion. That is why there are mosques in every state of our union and over 1,200 mosques within our borders.
That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear hijab and to punish those who would deny it.
Over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear hijab and to punish those who would deny it.
Over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear hijab and to punish those who would deny it.
So, let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations- to live in peace and security, to get an education and to work with dignity, to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.
Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people.
These needs will be met only if we act bodily in the years ahead and understand that our challenges are shared and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
Recent experience has taught us that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu virus infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attacks rises for all nations.
When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. Human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their interests. Yet, in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given
our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So, whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it.
Our problem must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.
That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so, in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as possible about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not- and never will be at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security.
Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children, and it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support.
We did not go by choice. We went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the event of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day.
The victims were innocent men, women, and children from America and many other nations who had nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to murder ruthlessly
these people claimed credit for the attack and even now state their determination to kill on a massive scale.
They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; they are issues to be dealt with.
Please make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women.
It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were no violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly could. But that is not yet the case.
That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken.
Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have been killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths more than any other; they have killed Muslims.
Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam.
The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind, and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind.
The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism- it is an important part of promoting peace.
We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who
have been displaced. And that is why we provide more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.
Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world.
Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.
Indeed, we can recall Thomas Jefferson’s quote, “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power and teach us that the less we use our power, the greater will be.”
Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future- and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases and no claim on their territory or resources.
Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat bridges by next August.
That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically- elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012.
We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner and never as a patron.
And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country.
The fear and anger it provoked were understandable, but sometimes, it led us to act contrary to our ideals.
We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
So, America will defend itself respectfully of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of the law. We will do so in partnership with Muslim communities, which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will be safer.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians, and the Arab world.
America’s strong bond with Israel is well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot, and gassed to death by the Third Reich.
Six million Jews were killed- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today.
Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction- or repeating vile stereotypes about the Jews-is deeply wrong and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people-Muslims and Christians- have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years, they have endured the pain of dislocation.
Many wait inrefugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations- large and small- that accompany occupation.
So, let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn its back on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of its own.
For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive.
It is easy to point fingers- for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond.
But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.
That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires.
The obligations the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them- and all of us- to live up to our responsibilities.
Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed.
For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding.
People from South Africa, South Asia, and Eastern Europe to Indonesia can tell this story. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children or to blow up old women on a bus.
Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern with institutions that serve its people’s needs.
Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.
At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s.
The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.
Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, work, and develop their society.
And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank.
Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of the road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.
Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems.
America will align our policies with those who pursue peace and say in public what we say in private to Israelis, Palestinians, and Arabs.
We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.
Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims and a place for all the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Israel, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us.
In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made
it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against but rather what future it wants to build.
It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. Our two countries will have many issues to discuss, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions based on mutual respect.
But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests.
It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.
I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons.
That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.
Any nation- including Iran- should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I hope all countries in the region can share in this goal.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq.
So, let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.
However, that does not lessen my commitment to governments that reflect the people’s will. Each nation gives life to this principle in its way, grounded in its people’s traditions.
America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.
But 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, a transparent government that doesn’t steal from the people, and the freedom to live as you choose.
Those are not just American ideas but human rights, so we support them everywhere.
Realizing this promise is not a straight line, but one thing is clear: governments protecting these rights are ultimately more stable, successful, and secure.
Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard worldwide, even if we disagree with them.
And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments- provided they govern with respect for all their people.
This last point is important because some advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others.
No matter where it takes hold, the government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must respect the rights of minorities and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and legitimate workings of the political process above your party.
Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.
The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. This is evident in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition.
I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today.
People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based on the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’s faith by the rejection of another’s.
The richness of religious diversity must be upheld- whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Freedom of religion is central to people’s ability to live together. We must always examine how we protect it.
For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation.
That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.
Likewise, Western countries need to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit- for instance, by dictating
what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretense of liberalism.
Indeed, faith should bring us together. We are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
We welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action—whether combating malaria in Africa or providing relief after a natural disaster.
The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.
I know there is a debate about the issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.
Now, let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam.
In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life and in countries around the world.
Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity- men and women – to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim- majority country to support expanded literacy for girls and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.
Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.
I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence.
Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities. In all nations- including my own- this change can bring fear.
We fear that modernity will cause us to lose control over our economic choices, politics, and, most importantly, identities—the things we cherish most about our communities, families, traditions, and faith.
But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be a contradiction between development and tradition.
Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true of Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai.
In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.
This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many of the Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth due to oil, and some are beginning to focus on broader development.
However, we must all recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities, underinvestment remains.
I am emphasizing such investments within my country. While America has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world in the past, we now seek a broader engagement.
In education, we will expand exchange programs and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities.
We will also match promising Muslim students with internships in America, invest in online learning for teachers and children worldwide, and create a new online network so that a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.
Regarding economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries.
I will also host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how to deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities worldwide.
On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs.
We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new energy sources, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops.
Today, I am announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. We will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments, community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities worldwide to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address.
But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek- a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected.
Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know there are many- Muslim and non-Muslim- who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke division’s flames and stand in the way of progress.
Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort—that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear and mistrust.
But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to say this to young people of every faith and country—you, more than anyone, can remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time.
The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart or commit ourselves to a sustained effort to find common ground, focus on the future we seek for our children, and respect the dignity of all human beings.
On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries.
I will host a summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and social entrepreneurs in the United States and the Muslim communities worldwide.
On Science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs.
We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new energy sources, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops.
Today, I am announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. We will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.
All these must be done in partnership.
Americans are ready to join with citizens and government, community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities worldwide to help our people pursue a better life.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address.
But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world. We seek a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are
respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected.
Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.
I know that there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim- who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke division’s flames and stand in the way of progress.
Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash.
Many more are skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear and distrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward.
And I want to say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, can remake this world.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart or commit ourselves to a sustained effort to find common ground, focus on the future we seek for our children, and respect the dignity of all human beings.
It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward, to see what is different about someone, and to find the things we share.
But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. One rule lies at the heart of every religion – we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and people – a belief that isn’t new, that black or white or brown, that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle
of civilization and still beats billions of hearts. It’s faith in other people and what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we dare to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female, and we have made you into nations and tribes so you may know one another.”
The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is to promote peace.”
The Holy Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that it is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work on Earth. May God’s peace be upon you.
As I have time and feel a release, I will tell the story of my startling dream as I walked with President Obama and the two words he spoke directly to me.
He only spoke two words to me, which were very significant. The Anti-Christ will be a Muslim, and Obama could only be a forerunner to the Anti-Christ just as John the Baptist was a forerunner to Christ.
For me, it’s irrelevant. Obama’s speech was articulate, fluent, and well-spoken; he used his oratorical gifts in vigorous support of Islam. He, like many other presidents, has wished they could push Israel to accept a two-state solution on their watch.
To be continued:
More to Come: