Turkish President Abdullah Gul appreciated U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Egypt and said that the head of the White House is a political leader who keeps his words, the Turkish Anadalu news agency reported.
U.S. President Barack Obama visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt on June 4 as part of his visit to Middle East. During the speech at the Cairo University, U.S. President Barack Obama said that he, as the head of the United States will struggle against the wrong perception about Islam in the West.
"We owe to the Islamic culture for a great civilization, music, poets and thinkers, the president said from the podium at the Cairo University. "We must fight against the extremists who blacken Islam."
The US president said his speech in Cairo must prove that there never has been a fight between the United States and Muslims, because the western and Muslim civilization have common values.
"We must struggle against those who aroused the Muslim-U.S. conflict," Obama said. "One speech will not solve the age-old problems, but I hope if we come to solution with open hearts and mutual respect, then we will certainly restore the trust of Muslims and the United States."
Obama cited the words of the Holy Qur'an - "Believe in Allah and always speak the truth" which should be in the dialogue of Muslims and the U.S. today. "Muslims must break the stereotype that the United States is an empire, because America was founded in opposition to empire. Islam is an integral part of the establishment and development of the United States as a democratic state."
Barack Obama is a political leader who keeps his words, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said. Obama's message to the world is clear and precise, Gul added.