http://www.halfwaytoconcord.com/obama-on-religious-freedom/

Obama was courageous to devote so much of the speech to religious freedom, for it is a perennial point of conflict between the US and governments of many Muslim-majority countries. For example, last month the US Commission on International Religious Freedom issued its annual report. The majority of countries cited for serious problems are ones where Islam is the prevalent faith. Obama risked backlash in some Muslim quarters for raising religious freedom, but it was a wise and indeed necessary risk to take. If religious freedom is an important part of the problem in US relations with Muslim communities internationally, then it is a vital part of the solution.

Among other things, yesterday’s speech represents a promising example of the Obama administration engaging Muslim peoples on religious freedom issues. The challenge, however, is to match words with actions. And on this score the administration’s record to date is rather thin.