Obama cites Pakistani entrepreneur’s success, vows partnership

APP

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has vowed to build economic development partnership with Pakistan, Afghanistan and other Muslim countries as part of his administration's unprecedented outreach to the Islamic world aimed at fostering relations on the basis of mutual trust and respect. Obama cited the story of a Pakistani woman's success in pulling families out of poverty through microfinancing as he addressed a gathering of entrepreneurs from 50 Muslim countries and pledged Washington's commitment to deepen business and entrepreneurship ties with them.

The United States president reinforced the economic partnership message by expressing his administration's resolve towards addressing some of the thorniest political disputes including Middle East conflict, ending the war in Iraq responsibly and partnering with Pakistan and Afghanistan in their anti-militancy struggle through improvement in the lives of their people. "As President, I've worked to ensure that America once again meets its responsibilities, especially when it comes to the security and political issues that have often been a source of tension," he said at the Presidential Entrepreneurship Summit. Continuing, Obama acknowledged the feisty challenge in bringing peace to the Middle East but committed that "despite the inevitable difficulties, so long as I am President, the United States will never waver in our pursuit of a two-state solution that ensures the rights and security of both Israelis and Palestinians." "And around the world, the United States of America will continue to stand with those who seek justice and progress and the human rights and dignity of all people," added the US president. Obama, whose approval ratings have helped bolser America's image in several Muslim countries in the backdrop of Iraq and Afghanistan wars started by the former Bush administration, first articulated his vision to a "new beginning" with the Muslim world in a speech at Cairo last year.

"The United States is responsibly ending the war in Iraq, and we will partner with Iraqi people for their long-term prosperity and security. In Afghanistan, in Pakistan and beyond, we're forging new partnerships to isolate violent extremists, but also to combat corruption and foster the development that improves lives and communities," added the US president.

Among some examples of successful entrepreneurship in the Muslim countries Obama highlighted at the summit was the story of a Pakistani woman, Roshaneh Zafar, who inspired by Bangladeshi pioneer Dr Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank - has extended microfinancing through her "Kashf" organization to help thousands of distressed families out of their financial woes.

"Look at the professor who came up with an idea-micro-finance- that empowered the rural poor across his country, especially women and children. That's the powerful example of Dr. Yunus. "Look what happened when Muhammad (Yunus) shared his idea with a woman from Pakistan, who has since lifted hundreds of thousands of families and children out of poverty through a foundation whose name literally means "miracle." That's the example of Roshaneh Zafar," he stated amid applause from the gathering. "Look what happened when that idea spread across the world -- including to people like my own mother, who worked with the rural poor from Pakistan to Indonesia. That simple idea, began with a single person, has now transformed the lives of millions. That's the spirit of entrepreneurship," he added. In the broader perspective, Obama said a new beginning in relations between the United States and the Muslim world is very much possible.

"So, yes, the new beginning we seek is not only possible, it has already begun. It exists within each of you, and millions around the world who believe, like we do, that the future belongs not to those who would divide us, but to those who come together; not to those who would destroy, but those who would build; not those trapped in the past, but those who, like us, believe with confidence and conviction in a future of justice and progress and the dignity of all human beings regardless of their race, regardless of their religion.

"That's the enormous potential that we're hoping to unlock during this conference and hoping to continue not only this week but in the months and years ahead," he said.