By IANS,
Washington : Barack Obama, who was Tuesday sworn in as the 44th US president, used his inaugural speech to reach out to Muslim community across the world.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” Obama, who became the first African American president, said in his inaugural speech.
“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West – know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy,” he said.
“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist,” Obama said.
Obama said: “To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.”
“To those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect.”