Middle East views: Obama's speech

The US president appealed for a new beginning between America and Muslims around the world in his address to Cairo University. People across the Middle East tell the BBC News website what they thought of Barack Obama's speech.
Reem Assad, lecturer in finance, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
"I was very impressed. His speech was a breath of fresh air compared to the bleak view most of the Arab world had of the previous administration. It's good he denounced colonialism.
Of the seven issues he raised, the most important for me as a Saudi woman, was that of women's rights. There can be no progress socially or economically without the advancement of women.I teach banking and finance at university and my life's mission is to promote the empowerment of women.I also liked what he said about business and entrepreneurship. We must really seize on his goodwill and initiative. But we must not wait for it all to come from his administration. Arab nations must reach out and propose our own programmes"