34 citizens. When I refer to Arabs and Africans, dear brothers, I don’t mean that they are separate, distinguishable entities. Scientific research has shown that this distinction is baseless, a fact that you must feel in the depths of your heart, for we are one entity. Throughout history we have influenced and been influenced by each other. Such mutual influences are so strong that neither party can disprove the strength and depth of our ties, no matter how strong the motives and reasons may be, and no matter what conspiracies are wrought by imperialists. My dear brothers, I’m sure you join me in regarding the future as our goal, but I’m equally sure that looking back at our past and trying to benefit from our experiences will make our steps towards the future more confident, better informed and more likely to lead us to our objectives. I have to express here my deepest appreciation, which is also shared by all those interested in our common struggle, of the huge and constant efforts of our scholars, thinkers, students, research and studies centres and national publishing houses for their relentless attempts to uncover the historical roots of the profound and far-reaching interactions between Arabs and Africans. Without repeating facts that have become common knowledge not only to our scholars and researchers but to the community of intellectuals, please allow me to raise a few points concerning what I regard as great achievements. These could constitute in fact the first practical step towards building Arab-
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