Muslim Outreach

Roundtable discussion with Ambassador Janet Garvey and Muslim leaders

On June 24, Ambassador Janet Garvey held a roundtable discussion on President Obama’s June 4 speech in Cairo regarding U.S. relations with the Muslim world at the American Corner in Garoua with 20 influential Muslim leaders.  Participants, including government officials, NGO leaders, youth community leaders, radio and print journalists, and leading Muslim women, received copies of the speech ahead of time and were eager to discuss it.  During the interaction, they praised the speech as well-written and poignant and asked themselves whether the Muslim world will welcome the U.S. overture.  Regarding overarching issues of concern to Muslims, they agreed that the polemic over the wearing of headscarves had become more symbolic than substantive, and they stressed that the real issue for Muslim women and girls was access to education.  Participants also noted that addressing economic concerns in the Muslim world would be crucial to any successful strategy of rapprochement.  As Muslim Leaders in Cameroon, they noted the role they play in educating the youth about peace and tolerance.  Overall, while the speech was very well-received, participants also indicated they were awaiting concrete results, particularly with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian situation.  Roundtable invitees also had the opportunity to view the paper show “Islam in the United States,” on display at the American Corner, and appreciated the pamphlet on Barack Obama and the IIP publication “Being Muslim in America” they were given as they departed.

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