UN General Assembly
2012

is sacred to others. Freedom therefore does not mean freedom from responsibility. Freedom always means freedom to shoulder responsibility. We understand the many devout people who feel wounded by the recent shameful anti-Islam video. However, legitimate criticism and sincere indignation cannot be used to justify acts of violence or destruction. Some would have us believe that the burning of embassy buildings are proof of a clash of civilizations. We must not allow ourselves to be deluded by such arguments. The vast majority of people oppose violence. The people who have taken to the streets, as well as their political representatives gathered here in New York this week, have expressed that forcefully. It is not a clash of civilizations. It is a clash within societies and civilizations. It is also a struggle for the soul of the movement for change in the Arab world. It is a struggle between open and closed minds, between moderates and radicals, between understanding and hate. It is a clash between those seeking peace and those prepared to resort to violence. The extremists