Obama Should Thank Muslims

Barack Obama doesn’t need to talk policy or drop his middle name to win over the world’s Muslims in his speech tomorrow. He just needs to say “thank you,” writes the Christian Science Monitor's editorial board. He should heap thanks on all the Muslims “who have stood up for their religion against the purposeful use of violence on the innocent by extremists.” Gratitude is so ingrained in Islamic practice that his words will hit home.

Working with moderate Muslims has been crucial in the fight against terror. Special thanks is owed to Pakistan, whose movement against the Taliban in the Swat Valley shows an awareness among its people "that a global struggle against Islamic terrorists isn't only the West's fight." In other countries, like the Philippines, the US has played a background role while others, like Nigeria, have battled extremists on their own. Recognizing these efforts will help expand them. “A thank-you can go a long way.”