Obama's address in Cairo on Thursday was a hugely anticipated speech. Our Muslim Observers react: only half of them are convinced. Read more...
Read an overview of the speech here.
We asked a number of our Observers to comment on the speech. We're publishing the reactions as they come in; here are the first. We're inviting you to give your opinions too. Thank you in advance for giving precise points on the speech and avoiding aggressive or heinous comments.
UPDATE 05/06/09: Our Observers from Pakistan and Iran have added their comments to the post (below).
EGYPT - Ahmed Gamal-Eldin works in communications in Cairo, Egypt.
I see that
Obama has found a way of speaking to the Muslim world. I noted several things
from his speech:
- His stance against Israeli settlements and the suffering of the Palestinian people.
- His promise that the US won't stay in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- His admission that the US took part in overthrowing an elected democratic government in Iran [that of Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953].
- His recognition, without spelling it out, that invading Iraq was a mistake.
I am however still wary and I do feel that the media have given too much praise to this speech, which has been repeatedly qualified as ‘historic'. Remember that Bill Clinton also had some very good intentions when it came to the Muslim world, but that his speeches weren't followed by any action. Obama must act. For me, these are his priorities:
- To put pressure on Israel to stop colonising the Palestinian territories and put in place a two-state solution, which he said was the only solution.
- Stop interfering in other countries' businesses, particularly Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan especially, where every US intervention and every civilian killed, only reinforces the Taliban."
GAZA STRIP - Twenty-year-old Lina Al-Sharif lives is from the Gaza Strip. She writes the blog Live From Gaza.
As a Muslim I was extremely happy and excited about his approach to
Muslims and Islam. And I agreed with him on most of the points that addressed
that issue. However, as a Palestinian living in Gaza, the speech didn't meet my expectations
fully. But it was relatively okay if we want to compare it with the previous
administration. I admire Obama's decisive tone toward settlements, but I deeply
deplore his neglect of what happened in Gaza.
Unfortunately, he did not talk about it even though it was a very significant
event in the Middle East and in the world. He
didn't ignore the Holocaust which occurred almost 65 years ago, but he did
neglect - rather than forget to mention - an aggression and siege that are
still being imposed on 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza. All in all, what will define Obama is
his actions, not just his catchy speeches."
WEST BANK - Ghassan Abdullah works in IT in Ramallah in the West Bank.
Obama repeats the usual clichés about peace, but the United States of America remains the main
supplier of arms to Israel,
and the US is the biggest
political and diplomatic supporter of Israel. I will start
believing Obama only if he can get the Israeli Army to remove at
least one settlement or one road block in the occupied Palestinian territories."
IRAN - Ali X is a student from Tehran. He prefers to remain anonymous.
I found President Obama's speech very rational and very
just; especially his
comments about Iran. Again Obama's comment about
Hamas, especially the
fact that he ‘mentioned' the group, was genuine; it was a comment
which only he could have
made (I myself do not like Hamas, in fact I dislike this Islamism,
but I think Obama's approach was realistic and had the capacity of feasibility).PAKISTAN - Awab Alvi is a dentist from Karachi. He writes the blog Teeth Maestro.
This is for the first time I have heard any American president speak
words close to my heart. He touched the Israel issue perfectly, there is no denying the
fact that Israel has deep ties with
America, but there is also no denying
that terrorism should be stopped from both ends.
Comments
President Obama's speech
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 19:57.we need concret actions now.america an the west must understand that itis not by persecuting muslims that they will succed. President Obama's speech is wellcome.
I, as muslim still trust him. I also know that this fight is not going to be easy but we all should achieve to make all people live together. It is sure that we cannot have the same belief at the moment. But it is necessary to leave together in peace and throught a diologue try to undertand more about each other religion.
Vahama Kamagate , muslim analyst, In Cote d'Ivoire south Africa
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Unregistered user
it was clearly visible that he was seeking a new beginning
Submitted by Ahmed Gamal-... on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 17:24.The speech of president Obama was historic, brand new language and reflected deep respect to Islamic history and culture, President Obama quoted from the Holy Quran 3 times and he started his speech with the Islamic greeting "Alsalm Alykom" it was clearly visible that he was seeking a new beginning and a new phase based on mutual respect, specially when he stated the achievements of the Islamic civilization through the course of history toward all man kind, and then moving to the achievements of the Muslim Americans in the united states, it was a unique speech since it was almost the 1st time for an America president to condemn publicly and confess that the war on Iraq was unnecessary and avoidable, and also the 1st time to condemn Israeli settlements in public and call for the Israelis to stop it, he also compared between the agony of the Jewish people in the Holocaust and the agony of the Palestinians for 60 years to have a country of their own.
he then spoke about Jerusalem as a city that should be for all the sons of prophet Ibrahim.
all these elements was totally new in the American speech to the Muslims since the days of Bush who used to talk about war of civilizations and war against terrorism and the crusades, and who is not with us is against us, while Obama for example didn't mention the word "Terrorists" in his speech at all.
He committed that no military bases will be built in bothy Afghanistan or Iraq.
He spoke about the Israeli Palestinian conflict that the only solution for it is the two states solution that he will work hard to achieve it.
but Israel must stop the settlements and Hamas must recognize Israel, and that the Palestinians have the right to have a country of their own.
and i believe from what I've seen of the disagreement of the Israeli prime minister to the two states solution, that Obama will impose some pressure on Israel so they can accept that solution.
He also spoke about the democracy in the middle east and that the democracy is a global ideology not American, and that no country can impose democracy over another one.
he mentioned that Iran have the right to use nuclear energy for peace but the problem will be if they decided to use It for building weapons but he added that no country have the right to say who can or can't own nuclear energy.
the speech had a lot of media magnification on its importance in the Egyptian and Arab media many days before Obama's arrival to Cairo, the magnification was huge that most of Egyptians were expecting a magician not a president.
No doubt that the speech was great, historic and very touching, yet remains the fact that we need to see it coming true, i believe Obama and i believe his intentions for peace and new relationship with the Muslims, but the real question is: can he really do it? does he have the power to do this? as we all know, the decision making process in America is not in the hands of one man or one team, it passes through many phases till it reach the implementation phase.
not to mention the republicans in the congress who disagree with such tone with the Arab world, or the Jewish lobby in the American administration and government.
so i believe that what Obama said he will do in his speech is very difficult, but i also believe that seeing even a few points of that speech coming true in the very near future will increase the number of his believers and his supporters in the Muslim and Arab world and definitely will severely change the image of America to the better in the eyes of more than 1 Billion Muslims all over the world.
Ahmed Gamal-...
He said the same thing we heard many times from Democrats
Submitted by Rihaneh on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 17:18.Mr. Obama's speech was not surprising me at all, he said the same thing we heard many times from Democrats, but now hearing it with a smile and new gestures. As our leader and president said we are hoping they review their nasty and paranoid approach toward Iran and recognised as a free nation who will to by on its foots.
We hope they would be honest about changing diplomacy but still can not see anything, they still talking about our nuclear pregame with debuts and some kind of enemy, still supporting some oppositions and wishing to intervene into Islamic Republic, talking about women are frre to have Hijab or not in Islamic countries and souprting Israelis who occupied Palestine.
But I am sure that they forced to change their policy while many Muslims now resisting to accept their imperialistic wills and return to the routes of Islam.
Iran and US could be more close if we can see more positive action form other side, talking is a thing that every time politician do, we need action and respect to Islamic values and our national glories.
Rihaneh
Rihaneh
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 12/06/2009 - 17:34.What's wrong Ms. Rihaneh? You are crying in all situations??!!!!!
Melani
Tehran
Unregistered user
OBAMA,Gaza and the Muslim world
Submitted by B.B on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 13:24.I was deeply delighted about his approach to Muslims world. And I agreed with him on some of the issue highlighted in his speech. However, any speech with out addressing the Palestinian cause living in Gaza is futile and meaningless not to the Arab but the entire Muslim world, because, for long time, the international community and the western world fail to see the suffering of the Palestinian people.
The speech didn't meet my expectations fully as early anticipated. But it was relatively some how O.k. if we are to compare it with the previous BUSH administration. I LIKE Obama's decisive tone toward settlements, but I deeply shock of what is happened in Gaza as we are seen in the TV and listen it on the radio from far away Nigeria.
At over roll looking of his visit, it is significant event in the Middle East and to the entire world. He wasn’t ignore the Holocaust which happed in last 65 years ago, but he woefully forget to mention - an unimaginable siege being imposed on 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza.What a pity.
Any way, what needed from Obama is not speeches but rather action so that the Muslim world would accept and appreciate his cause to the Muslim world.
Unregistered user
Obama will not do anything, Islam is victorious
Submitted by Haroon Arrachid (not verified) on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 10:36.The West is the west the east is the east, nothing will change it forever remain the enemy, because both want to dominate the other, the East will be victorious and soon, with the Muslims, India and China, Europe and the United States they go to the dustbin of history, it's the end of the era of capitalism, and the white man, So to enter a new era of Orientalism, that the alternative of life, Obama will not do anything, Islam is victorious.
Unregistered user
Too Far Reaching
Submitted by Logic and Reason (not verified) on Thu, 04/06/2009 - 21:39.There's showing respect, and then there's pandering that is interpreted as weakness.
One thing that nobody can argue against is that President Obama is improving the US's image throughout the world. I worry, though, that what my President is doing and saying will weaken and tarnish the USA's sway in international discourse.
How much more cliché can Obama get than standing in from of the Middle-Eastern World and quote the Qur'an? How apparently weak is it of Obama (and the USA as a result) to quote Muslim's holy book when he himself does not believe/follow Islam? Isn't this also insulting as well as weak? I find this so transparently weak that I can't stand it.
This is going well beyond respecting the ideals and customs of other cultures, and the result will be a point of leverage for the rest of the world in discourse, discussions, and negotiations
Unregistered user
Good for now.
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 05:41.I don't think it is weakness to say "I'm sorry" nor is it weakness to put away the sword and try using your voice for a change. It is also never weakness to seek knowledge in another book (or even another religion) than the Bible.
As for the speech, it is good for now. We shall see where it all leads.
Unregistered user
"Too far reaching" - By logic and reason.
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 05/06/2009 - 04:48.From a recovering Republican - we have allowed previous administration to get the US where it is now. Agreed that already Mr.Obama has achieved something that Bush, Clinton, etc, where not able to do, that is, get people to listen, build respect and the expection that this man means what he says. People will respect you more if you tell the truth and by how conduct your deeds. Words or expressions as "weak", "leverage" is the type of actions that got us into what we have now, you want to have the upper hand, or better yet have the secret weapon that will make you feel superior. Learn about the Qur'an, perhaps by doing so you will not feel so weak. Note that just like you there is another person that feels that muslims are losing by allowing this new person to address them, is this a sign of weakness? Salaam aleikum
Unregistered user