Birmingham Councillor and Respect party leader Salma Yaqoob gave her response:

‘President Obama’s call for a ‘new beginning’ in relations between the United States and the Muslim world is very welcome.

The absence in his speech of any bellicose threats to Iran stands in stark contrast to his predecessor, George W Bush, as do his comments about the ‘intolerable’ situation facing the Palestinians.
However, in view of the damage done to the United States’ reputation across the Muslim world, actions not words will be required to really mark a new beginning.

Many Muslims in Britain are of South Asian origin and are alarmed at how the US intervention in Afghanistan is also destabilising Pakistan.

The sooner there is progress to redress the injustice of the Palestinians and end the occupation of Afghanistan, the quicker a new chapter can be written.'