Obama: It's Not Us Vs. Them -- "It's Just Us"

President Obama closed his longest-ever press conference Friday by saying that Muslims who are fighting for America should understand that all Americans are on the same side.

"I've got Muslims who are fighting in Afghanistan in the uniform of the United States armed services," he said. "They're out there putting their lives on the line for us, and we've got to make sure that we are crystal clear, for our sakes and their sakes, they are Americans, and we honor their service."

"And part of honoring their service is making sure that they understand that we don't differentiate between them and us," he added. "It's just us."

The president made the comments in reference to a question about the planned Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero and the possible burning of copies of the Quran by fringe Florida pastor Terry Jones, both of which have been tied to a spike in anti-Islam sentiment in the United States.

On the former issue, the president said Islam should be treated no differently than any other religion.

President Barack Obama speaks at a news conference on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010.

/ AP

"This country stands for the proposition that all men and women are created equal, that they have certain inalienable rights," he said. "One of those inalienable rights is to practice their religion freely. And what that means is that if you could build a church on a site, you could build a synagogue on a site, if you could build a Hindu temple on a site, then you should be able to build a mosque on a site."

He added that while "I recognize the extraordinary sensitivities around 9/11," it is important to remember that "we are not at war against Islam."

"We're at war against terrorist organizations that have distorted Islam or falsely used the banner of Islam to engage in their destructive acts," he said. "And we've got to be clear about that. We've got to be clear about that because...if we're going to successfully reduce the terrorist threat, then we need all the allies we can get."

"The folks who are most interested in a war between the United States or the West and Islam are Al Qaida," Mr. Obama continued. "That's what they've been banking on."

The president said " the overwhelming majority" of Muslims have the same concerns as everyone, and that Muslim Americans are friends, neighbors and coworkers.

He added: "And, you know, when we start acting as if their religion is somehow offensive, what are we saying to them?"

More from the press conference:

Obama: Economic Recovery 'Painfully Slow'
Obama: "Fair" to Say I Haven't Fostered Cooperation in Washington
Obama on Afghan Corruption and the Hunt for Osama Bin Laden
For Obama, Stimulus is a Four-Letter Word
Elizabeth Warren Gets (Vague) Support From Obama
With Key GOP Vote Secured, Obama Urges Senate to Pass Small Biz Bill
Austan Goolsbee Tapped As Top Economic Adviser
Obama: Americans Shouldn't Turn on Each Other
Obama on Quran Burning: You "Don't Play Games" with Troop Safety
Obama: We've "Fallen Short" on Closing Gitmo

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Brian Montopoli is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of his posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[Sugar-Malen]

MY CHILDREN'S AND GRANDCHILDREN'S WORLD WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT IN A FEW YEARS.

http://paintmainered.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2731571%3AVideo%3A40707

[ernelson1957]

Ya Obama has done some terrible things. Health care extended to an additional 30 millions Americans. Just undependable. Heck buck shifted billions to war making industry. And I guess our kids will pay that bill. Kinda funny considering bush didn't even show up for weekend warrior duty. What a fake! At least he didn't inhale his coke. And of course we already forgot all of his lies on weapons of mass destruction, chemicals, nucs. Talk about lies. Where were you then my friend.

[ernelson1957]

Sorry but we are the us. Not so long ago your grandparents where most likely them them. Unless you are all aboriginal Americans aka "Indians" then your grandparents were most likely so of the them group. And do you believe any other religions believe they are the only true religion? Funny but they all do. That doesn't affect me at all. Even when it's a white, male bomber in Oklahoma city. Lowing up a building wi a child day care center inside. Did someone say Waco? So let's not get too carried away. I understand the passions involved. But military, police, and fire department heroes are all risking their lives to defend us and our rights. Including our right to be baptist, catholic, Jewish, muslim, or not. Just I gain if the issue was building a baptist church....no issue. And do baptists believe they worship the one god? Of course. And I think we would respect the right of a completely separate group to build a baptist church...

[stormerF3]

Funny they can have extremist Muslims and we are not suppose to condemn all Mualims but we can not have extremists christians,while they want to blame all Americans? Time to stand up or shut up,when do we run from a fight,when we are defending our rights?.. They don't want us in Afghanistan then time we left,we can always use a small nuke if they attack us again.

[slatep]

All the Islamics who are fighting wearing the uniform of the US military are true Americans first and Muslims second.

They deserve every bit of our support and respect.

[whosaid1]

ALL ?? ....well I don't agree with all....maybe.. MOST..(?)

Let there be no doubt...there are very likely other Nidal Malik Hasans out there.

[I-READ-THE-BOOK]

We are not at war with Islam. Is Islam at war with us?
Islam is The only correct form of government, The only correct laws, The True religion. These elements compose Islam and can not be separated one from another. The United States Constitution separation of church and state provision does not cover Islam and can not be applied to Islam; Islam is the state, the state is Islam. Islam dictates that all people shall abide by Its Laws, convert to Its beliefs and follow its teachings. No other religion can be tolerated after non-believers have been given the Word of Islam. Believers must spread Islam to all corners of the earth.

N.B. it is not a sin to 'mislead' or lie to infidels.