During his first visit to a Muslim nation, Barack Obama, the US president, has said the US "is not and will never be at war with Islam''.
In an address to the Turkish parliament in Ankara on Monday, he called for a greater partnership with the Muslim world.
Obama described Turkey as an important US ally in the fight against terrorism, the war in Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process.
The comments came shortly after private talks between him and Abdullah Gul, the Turkish president.
In what was the first address given to the Turkish parliament by a US president since Bill Clinton in 1996, Obama said: "Let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not at war with Islam ... if we are joined together in delivering that message East and West, to the world, I think we can have an extraordinary impact."
"America's relationship with the Muslim world cannot and will not be based on opposition to al-Qaeda"
Barack Obama, US President
He said: "America's relationship with the Muslim world cannot and will not be based on opposition to al-Qaeda.
"We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect."
Obama said he is committed to renewing the alliance and friendship "between our people".
Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from Istanbul, said: "This was the address we had all been waiting for, it hit all the right notes.
"He talked about the contribution of the Islamic faith in the life of American Muslims and then he personalised that message by saying 'I know because I am one of them'. It was a message that reached out to many today.
"Of course it needs to be followed up by actions and by discernible policy changes."