As Moslems around the world started their yearly month-long fasting period, US President Barack Obama has said the US is committed to building a more peaceful and secure world including building a partnership with the OIC, in a message meant for all Moslems in the United States and across the world.

The Ramadan fast, which begins Saturday and continues for the next 30 days, is a major event for the at least 1.5 billion Moslems in the world. According to Obama whose father was a Muslim from Kenya, it is a "time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God."

He said just like many people of different faiths "who have known Ramadan through our communities and families, I know this to be a festive time - a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared."

During the tenure of immediate past US President George W. Bush, a tradition to serve iftar meals were observed at the White House as that Bush administration tried to win over the Moslem world as the US war on terrorism then was perceived as anti-Islam.


It is not clear as yet if President Obama will continue with the Bush-era tradition of hosting such meals meant to break the Ramadan fast.

In his message to all Muslims, Obama said it was in line with his administration's effort to secure a peaceful world that he is seeking to responsibly end "the war in Iraq."

He also said "that is why we are isolating violent extremists while empowering the people in places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we are unyielding in our support for a two-state solution that recognizes the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security. And that is why America will always stand for the universal rights of all people to speak their mind, practice their religion, contribute fully to society and have confidence in the rule of law."

All of those, said the US President are part of America's commitment to engage Muslims and Muslim-majority nations on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect, stressing that "at this time of renewal, I want to reiterate my commitment to a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world."

Nigeria with almost half population of Muslims is counted in U.S. official parlance as one of those nations Obama meant.

Recalling his speech in Cairo to the Muslim world, Obama reiterated that this was a new beginning between America and the Muslim world "borne out in a sustained effort to listen to each other, to learn from each other, to respect one another, and to seek common ground."


As a result of that new beginning President Obama said in the last two months, American embassies around the world have reached out not just to governments, but directly to people in Muslim-majority countries.

Said he: "From around the world, we have received an outpouring of feedback about how America can be a partner on behalf of peoples' aspirations."

His words: "We have listened. We have heard you. And like you, we are focused on pursuing concrete actions that will make a difference over time - both in terms of the political and security issues that I have discussed, and in the areas that you have told us will make the most difference in peoples' lives."

With the consultations, the US is enabled to expand education exchange programs; to foster entrepreneurship and create jobs; and to increase collaboration on science and technology, while supporting literacy and vocational learning.

Moreover the US is "also moving forward in partnering with the OIC and OIC member states to eradicate polio, while working closely with the international community to confront common health challenges like H1N1 - which I know is of particular to concern to many Muslims preparing for the upcoming hajj."

But he warned that changes may not come over-night, saying that "It will take time and patient effort. We cannot change things over night, but we can honestly resolve to do what must be done, while setting off in a new direction - toward the destination that we seek for ourselves, and for our children. That is the journey that we must travel together."

Saying he looked forward to continuing the "critically important dialogue" with Moslems around the US and the world, the first black American president expressed delight in joining with Muslims around the world - and your families and friends - "in welcoming the beginning of Ramadan, and wishing you a blessed month. May God's peace be upon you. On behalf of the American people - including Muslim communities in all 50 states - I want to extend best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem."