Ambassador
James B. Cunningham

Biography

Speeches

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham at Al Qasemi’s Annual Culture of Dialogue Conference “Islam within the Context of Globalization and Multiculturalism”
April 22, 2009

AMBASSADOR CUNNINGHAM:  Thank you very much, Dr. Fadila, Dr. Essawi and Sheikh Al Qawasmi.  Good Morning, Sabah El Khair (Arabic).

U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham at Al Qasemi’s Annual Culture of Dialogue Conference “Islam within the Context of Globalization and Multiculturalism” April 22, 2009 (U.S. Embassy photo by Matty Stern)

I am honored to join you here today for this important conference.  It is my first visit to the Academy, but I have been told of the great work and the many achievements that you have accomplished here.  I also had the opportunity to meet some of your promising students, such as the alumni of the MEPI Student Leaders Program, during the Iftar dinner I hosted last Ramadan.  I think I have seen some of them when I was walking in today. 

I am here because Al Qasemi is not just another educational institution. Your approach to academics as well as your work to promote cross-cultural dialogue and outcomes, have succeeded in providing quality multicultural education and in equipping  students with the special skills that they will need to succeed in a diverse world.

The reality of multiculturalism has become very important and it is part of the reality of the 21st Century.  My country has long been a society of many cultures, and for most Americans our diversity is seen as a source of strength and renewal as we have seen with the election of President Obama.   In fact, it is this diversity that has shaped my country and our democracy and it has also lead, over the years, to much conflict and confrontation.  We have had to learn to accept and take advantage of diverse cultures and to tolerate our differences.

Currently, Islam is one of the fastest-growing religions in the United States.  The American Muslim community is a mixture of cultures and its members come from all of the major continents. 

We don’t keep official figures on religious populations, but experts estimate that there are approximately six million American Muslims, and roughly 25% of those are of Arab origin.

President Obama spoke about this recently in Turkey: “The United States has been enriched by Muslim-Americans,” he said. “Many Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country.”  He is proudly one of them.  Most Americans believe that diversity enhances creativity and enriches our culture.  It makes us special.

The issue facing America today is not how to get rid of our differences, but how to manage a society with so many of them.  Diversity in my country really means practically every race, religion, and ethnic group.  Americans are adapting and developing the necessary skills to communicate and work with people of all cultural backgrounds whether as neighbors or as colleagues and visitors from abroad.

Over the past several years, the American Embassy has worked closely with Israeli Non-Governmental Oranizations, academics, policy-makers and institutions like Al Qasemi Academy, to encourage a dialogue on democratic principles in society.  We believe that building a strong civil society encourages understanding, tolerance, and empathy among between diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural groups, in countries around the world including the United States and Israel.

I was particularly pleased to continue that effort by opening  an American Center in Akko this month with the firm support of the Mayor and of people throughout the Akko Community. We hope that our Center there will serve as a place for active discussion on multiculturalism and diversity as well as peace and coexistance.  We hope that it will help to build a stronger community in Akko and in Israel.

In the United States we have had difficulty with questions of ethnic diversity, and we have a history of struggle to overcome prejudice and discrimination.  It is, unfortunately, work that is never finished, but it is important and it requires commitment which I hope today’s conference will encourage.

Experience teaches us that healthy democracies require the dedicated work of engaged, active, and educated citizens.  Ways have to be found for people to create bonds to solve problems and to build bridges across lines of conflict.  We also have to create systems and techniques for dealing constructively with our societies’ complex ethnic and cultural issues.

Most of all – and the reason I am particularly pleased to be here today is that I  believe that the future of democracies and of peace depends on parents and teachers and young people.  It is the parents and teachers who give the lessons; it is the young people that must be open to new ideas and to new possibilities.  I expect this will be a productive day not only on issues of interest in many of our societies, but also on the role of Islam and Muslims in making our societies rich and thriving democracies. 

Thank you for letting my wife and I join you this morning.

Thank you.