ellisonRep. Keith Ellison visited Qatar University’s College of Sharia and Islamic Studies over the weekend to discuss the relationship between the United States and the Islamic world, the Gulf Times reports. Qatar is a tiny country on the Arabian Peninsula.

“The political picture is bright, not perfect, but we are ready to expand the dialogue and work to resolving the miscomprehensions that exist in our society and between the U.S. and the Islamic world,” said Ellison in a lecture on Saturday.

Ellison talked about President Obama’s commitment to working with the Islamic world. “President Obama’s granting his first international interview to Al-Arabiya was a significant move which showed his commitment to his pledge.  He was talking straight to Muslims all over the world,” he said.

He continued, “The U.S. and the Muslim world have many things in common and this signifies a good future for collaboration and dialogue.”