In pursuant of his slogan, 'Change', the president of the United States, Barack Obama, hastaken another giant step in world politics, calling for global unity.

President Obama made this call as part of his landmark speech delivered on Thursday, June 4, 2009.  The speech, which was delivered in Cairo, Egypt, was recast at an hour's difference, at the conference hall of the US embassy in Banjul. The embassy officials had invited intelectuals, religious leaders and media practioners, and a cross section of the Gambian community, to witness te broadcast. "The relationship between the Islamic world and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars," the US president told students at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

According to him, violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. He noted that the attacks of 9/11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in his country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Westren countries, but also to the human rights. In the US president's view, this has bred more fear and mistrust, stressing the need for an end to it.

However, he made it clear that new beginning must be based upon mutual interest and respect, and on the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and therefore need not be in competition. He stressed that in order to move forward, there is the need to say openly things we hold in our hearts.

Hamas, Obama said, must end violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel's right to exist, . And, in the same vein, he stressed that Israel must live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, work and develop their society. "And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security, neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of Palestinians must be part of a road to peace. Israel must take concret steps to enable such progress," he said. The US president finally stressed the need for the people of the world to live together in peace, noting that this is God's vision.