National Muslim and Arab American Organizations Urge President Obama to Uphold Goals of Cairo Speech on One-Year Anniversary, in response to Gaza Flotilla Incident

(Deccan Samachar Service)June 3, 2010, The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Arab American Institute (AAI) sent a letter to White House yesterday requesting that President Barack Obama meet with Muslim and Arab American leaders to discuss the recent incident of violence against the humanitarian convoy traveling to Gaza. The incident occurred only days before the one-year anniversary of President Obama's address to the Muslim and Arab worlds in Cairo on June 6, 2009 and could compromise progress-at home and abroad-on goals laid out in the speech. "One year after Obama's Cairo speech, this tragic incident threatens to undermine both the president's efforts to broker peace between the Israelis and Palestinians and the confidence he sought to inspire in his address to the Muslim world," said Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America. The letter asked that President Obama: "...demand an independent investigation into this violent attack and to ensure protections and rights for U.S. citizens who were a part of this humanitarian effort ... [and] to address this crisis in a manner consistent with the vision you advanced in Cairo and to exercise American leadership by calling for an end to the blockade of Gaza." ===================================================