The principle of religious freedom
I found myself nodding all throughout reading President Obama’s speech in Cairo. Among its many merits was this particular point, which does not generally receive the emphasis it deserves in discourse about democracy and human rights:
The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.
Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.
… or for Baha’is in Iran and Egypt.
I watched the speech live (2AM HST) and waited to hear those words in two places- religious freedom and Faiths that call the Holy Land sacred.
You should follow the discussion about this on Twitter. Some great insights. (And you should get on twitter Geoff, seriously). Check out:
http://www.twitter.com/kawdess
http://www.twitter.com/reyhani
Regarding numbers only, Copts and Maronites are more relevant than in Egypt and in Lebanon.
Even though I was sorry Obama did not mention us.
You’re right Marco. I wasn’t particularly looking for Obama to mention the Baha’is. Just noting that the principle he highlighted (the problem of religious intolerance in Muslim-majority states) is also evident in the case of Baha’is in many countries (most notably Iran and Egypt, but certainly elsewhere).
Not convinced about the ‘great insights’, Neysan. But if you say so!
Andrew Sullivan has a good round-up from the blogosphere.