Reaching out to the Muslim world, United States President Barack Obama on Monday said that America "is not and will never be at war with Islam" as he sought to rope in close ally Turkey in the critical fight against terrorism.
Addressing a packed Turkish parliament, Obama said, "Let me say this as clearly as I can."
"The United States is not and never will be at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical ... in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject," Obama said during his first state visit to a Muslim nation after becoming US President in January.
Describing Turkey as a key US ally in many areas, including the fight against terrorism, he said there should be greater bond between Americans and Muslims. Obama's visit is being closely watched by an Islamic world that harboured deep distrust of his predecessor, George W Bush.
Obama clearly sought to draw a distinction between Islam and terrorist groups like al-Qaeda, saying the latter did not represent the vast majority of Muslims. "America's relationship with the Muslim world cannot and will not be based on opposition to al-Qaeda," he said, adding that the US sought broad engagement based upon "mutual interests and mutual respect."
Obama said the United States and Turkey can send a powerful message to the world through their friendship, CNN reported.
"I have now spent a week traveling through Europe, and I've been asked, 'Are you trying to make a statement by ending this week-long trip in Turkey?' And the answer is yes," Obama said.
Obama said he is trying to make a statement about the importance of Turkey -- "not just to the United States, but to the world." "I think that where there's the most promise of building stronger US-Turkish relations is in the recognition that Turkey and the United States can build a model partnership," he said.
Obama said "one of the great strengths of the United States" is that it does not consider itself "a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values. I think modern Turkey was founded with a similar set of principles."
