President Obama is traveling to Egypt this week to deliver his promised address to the Muslim world at Cairo university. The US government is trying hard to improve the image of the US.

No matter how good his intentions are, President Obama is still traveling in a very hostile environment. The Muslim Brotherhood, in particular, has used the US support for Mubarak, who has jailed members of the Islamist opposition for years, to spread anti-American sentiment in Egypt and beyond. Even though Egypt is one of the key players in bringing peace ot the Middle East, like Yemen, it is also known as a garden of extremists.

The Muslim world expects a change in American foreign policy and more pragmatism from the US administration. The question is, what is the Muslim world giving back in order to make peace with the US?

Definitely, the president’s trip to Egypt is an important step for peace. Peace cannot come from sitting in the White House, but by sowing good intentions among enemies. As the Macua of Mozambique say, “If you do not travel, you will marry your own sister.”