Barack Obama, then a presidential candidate was greeted by over 200, 000 Germins in Berlin in July 2008 (Photo NYT)

Egypt is a “country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world, and I think it will be a terrific opportunity for the president to address and discuss our relationship with the Muslim world,” said Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary.

There are already reports that the US secret service has arrived in Egypt ahead of the June 4^th visit to beep up security for the president.    

Last month Mr. Obama told Muslims in Turkey that his country was not at war with Islam in his attempt to woo the Muslim world with a diplomatic charm unlike under his predecessor, Former President George Bush, whose administration had strained relations with the Arab and Muslim world.     

“Let me say this as clearly as I can,” he said. “The United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam.

“In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject.”

Yet, the choice of Egypt might be a source of controversy for the new administration, given Egypt’s bad human rights records. 

“Egypt, under President Hosni Mubarak, has a fractured democratic process; opponents of Mr. Mubarak have been imprisoned, and some democracy advocates have been harassed,” wrote New York Time yesterday.   

Despite Egypt’s poor human rights credentials, it’s seen as a strategic ally of Washington in the Middle East.  The United States gives Egypt nearly $2 billion in military aid.