President Obama's historic speech in Cairo - when was the applause?

 As the world knows, President Obama made a speech today in Cairo that undoubtedly has tremendous historic significance. The speech will be discussed and analyzed throughout the world, both now and in the future.

One thing I find interesting about speeches is when the audience applauds. Applause, among other things, provides insight into what the people listening find important.

It is also telling if you or others would have applauded at the same times during the speech. For example, would an American audience at Harvard applaud when the Cairo audience did? Would Muslim Americans? Would Christian Americans? Would Jewish Americans?

Below are the statements which inspired applause today.

When was the applause?

• I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting a peace from Muslims communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.
• As the Holy Qur'an tells us, " Be conscious of God and speak always the truth."
• As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam--at places like Al-Azhar University--that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe Renaissance and Enlightenment.
• And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.
• And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Qur'an that one of our Founding Fathers--Thomas Jefferson--kept in his personal library.
• And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
• But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. [slight applause]
• Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President.
• The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exits for all who come to our shores--that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average. [slight applause]
• That is why the US government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.
• And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience.
• Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.
• In Ankara, I made clear that America is not--and never will be--at war with Islam.
• The Holy Qur'an teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; [applause] and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. [2nd applause]
• I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.
• Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future--and to leave Iraq to Iraqis.
• I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territories or resources. [slight applause]
• That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012.
• I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, [applause] and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. [loud applause]
• American will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. [loud applause]
• The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.
• That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome [2-state solution] with all the patience that the task requires. [slight applause]
• The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. [applause] This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. [2nd applause]
• America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private.
• All of us have a responsibility to work for the day...when Jerusalem is a...place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together [applause] as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad (peace by upon them) [applause] joined in prayer.
• That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.
• The 4th Issue that I will address is democracy.
• But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.
• This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. [applause] No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy. [someone yells out "We love you!"] [loud applause]
• Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld — whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.
• The 6th issue that I want to address is women's rights.
• I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. [loud applause]
• I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons.
• That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.
• On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America.
• There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
• The Holy Koran tells us, "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another." The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace." The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
• The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you. [loud applause] [standing ovation] 

I think there is much to reflect upon. 

For more info: Why applaud after the Qur'an?, YouTube Video of Speech, Transcript of Speech