The US special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calling Turkey one of the US's closest allies, told Today's Zaman in an exclusive interview on Monday, “There are very few major international issues on which we do not consult Turkey on a regular basis.”
Rashad Hussain, a Muslim of Indian heritage, has served in the White House Counsel's Office and has advised President Barack Obama's administration on policy matters related to the Muslim world in his capacity as an envoy to the OIC.
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| Hussain said Turkey is a shining example in the region. A Muslim of Indian heritage, Hussain has advised Obama’s administration on policy matters related to the Muslim world. (Photo: AA) |
Turkey's transformation into one of the world's major economic players as well as its geographic location are of great interest to the US, said Hussain, who came to İstanbul for the Second Global Entrepreneurship Summit. “For these reasons, I think it is very positive that the friendship between [Prime Minister Recep Tayyıp] Erdoğan and Obama has flourished,” he says.
Turkey is democratic, modern and Muslim, Hussain said, making it a shining example for its region. “One of the main differences we see in Turkey is the government here is responsive to the aspirations, concerns and needs of the Turkish people,” he said of the republic. He added that it provides and allows its people to pursue many opportunities.
“That does not mean religion does not play a major role,” he said. According to Hussain's observations, Turkish citizens are able to express themselves and practice their religion freely without fear of force or resistance, he said. There are many differences between Turkey and other countries around the world, Hussain added, but “that does not mean everything is perfect.”
Encouraged by Turkey's leadership in Syria
The Syrian conflict is one of the many areas in which Hussain said the US is in “close cooperation with Turkey.” “We were very encouraged to see Turkey and the Arab League's announcements of sanctions against Syria,” Hussain said.
The US will continue to work with Turkey and the international community in ensuring that the brutal crackdown that is taking place in Syria comes to an end as soon as possible, he added. Voicing serious concerns on the subject of Syria, Hussain stressed that the US will support the people of Syria until the very end. “We think it is very important that not just in Syria, but in all countries, that governments are responsive to the fundamental rights, concerns and aspirations of their people,” he said.
‘US will regain trust of Islamic countries’
According to Hussain, there are two reasons for the US's determination to rekindle dialogue with Islamic countries: political stability and improved relations in the region. Acknowledging America's rocky relations with the region in the past, Hussain explains that the Obama administration is ready to abandon mutual “suspicion” and “distrust” and work toward more collaborative relations. “Trust and friendship between the United States and Islamic countries will be restored,” he affirms.
Hussain listed the continuance of pursuing a state solution between Israel and the Palestinians and the fostering of partnerships in areas such as technology, education, science and health as specific ways to work on mending relations between the East and the West. But Hussain realistically recognized that restoring mutual trust is not something that takes root overnight. “It will take time. And I think what will really change people's minds are continuous changes on policy and when they see the results for themselves,” he said.
This change in foreign policy and outlook, Hussain said, is under way and began with Obama's administration. “I think that we are beginning to realize that, as we continue to pursue this agenda, it will be more successful in the rebuilding of trust between the US and many Muslim countries around the world,” he said.
‘Gülen Movement has made great contributions to the world’
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| Fethullah Gulen |
The Gülen movement has done significant work in terms of education and fostering interfaith dialogue all over the world, including America.
Published on Today's Zaman, 06 December 2011, Tuesday
