United States President Barack Obama plans to remove the term “Islamic radicalism” from a document outlining America's security strategy, the Associated Press reported Thursday. The rewording of US strategy is part of a larger plan to shift America's approach to ties with the Muslim world.
White House officials did not confirm the report. The document in question is expected to be released in several weeks.
Obama has been attempting to improve America's image in the Muslim world since beginning his presidency. Last year he addressed the Muslim world in a speech given in Cairo, and called for “a new beginning” between the US and the Muslim world, adding that America and Islam “need not be in competition.”
He plans to visit Indonesia, the most heavily populated Muslim country, in June of this year. The anticipated visit has led to rumors that Obama will give a second address similar to his Cairo speech.
Obama staffers told AP that the president is hoping to create new ties with the Muslim world, ties that go beyond cooperation in the war on terrorism. “Do you want to think about the US as the nation that fights terrorism or the nation you want to do business with?” one asked.
Former US President George Bush referred openly to radical Islam as a danger, and described the struggle against militant Islam as “the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century.” The current administration has rejected his direct approach, which it says is likely to make peaceful Muslims feel that America is attacking their way of life.