Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation.

A relentless focus on the outward markers of success can lead to complacency. It can make you lazy.

We too often let the material things serve as indicators that we're doing well, even though something inside us tells us that were not doing our best. That we are avoiding that which is hard, but also necessary. That we are shrinking from rather than rising to the challenges of the age.

We should foster a culture in which people’s private religious beliefs, including atheists and agnostics, are respected.

Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.

What makes us Americans is our shared commitment to an idea— that all of us are created equal, and all of us have the chance to make of our lives what we will.

What matters is how well we have loved.

Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency.

From the earliest days of our founding, America has been the story of ordinary people who dare to dream. That's how we win the future.

Don't just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table.