Guest Voices: Obama's Charisma Ignites Hope in Muslim Hearts

Obama's Charisma Ignites Hope in Muslim Hearts

By Muqtedar Khan
Director of Islamic Studies, University of Delaware

President Obama's address to the Muslim World on June 4 from Cairo was truly transformative in intent and effect. It was not a policy speech and did not seek to outline policy initiatives. It was a philosophical attempt to diffuse the mutual distrust and animus that undergirds U.S. relations with the Muslim World.

Even though it was billed as a speech to Muslims, it was readily apparent that it addressed both the Islamic World and the Western World. President Obama not only invited Muslims to rise above prejudice and take a second look at America, but also demonstrated to Americans and the rest of the world how to abandon jaundiced eyes and see Islam and Muslims as they really are and not how they are projected in popular discourses.

Never has an American President spoken with such eloquence, compassion, understanding and empathy to the Muslim World.

There is no doubt that Obama gets the Muslim World. It is also obvious from the responses from around the world that except for some Israelis and its supporters and Al Qaeda, President Obama's words resonated profoundly with Muslim and non-Muslim audiences everywhere.

Al Qaeda is understandably disturbed that Obama's charm offensive may put an end to them more expeditiously than any military assault. Some Israelis currently in power do not like the fact that an American President is so willing to acknowledge that Palestinians are suffering and have as much right to a state of their own as do Israelis. Fortunately both are tiny minorities.

President Obama's speech was comprehensive and brutally honest except when he spoke about America's support for democracy. Even now America is aligned with dictators and monarchs and opposes elected governments and groups in Iran, Gaza and Lebanon. He spoke about the dangers of extremist violence, about Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Arab-Israeli conflict, about religious tolerance and religious freedoms, about gender equality and development.

President Obama's intellectual posture was very sophisticated and subtle. He went far beyond any American President in making concessions to Muslims without ever abandoning traditional American foreign policy values. For example he recognized that the "situation of the Palestinian people was intolerable" and made an unprecedented promise that "America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own." But he also firmly reiterated that America's bond with Israel was "unbreakable" and that aspirations for a Jewish homeland were "undeniable".

President Obama has found the language to transcend the hitherto zero sum conundrum of Israeli-Palestinian issue. If he can translate this into policy, then perhaps we can finally witness the emergence of an independent Palestinian nation thriving side by side with a secure Israel.

One element of the discourse was Obama's portrayal of himself as a man comfortable with faith. He quoted from the Qur'an, the Torah and the Bible, and this will go far in undoing the widely held Muslim perception of America as a God-less materialist society.

The speech acknowledges America's mistakes but promised change and hope. President Obama took the two themes of change and we can from his campaign to Cairo. But as he himself and his press secretary have acknowledged, a speech alone cannot transform a relationship suffering from decades of abuse. Words alone from now on will rapidly loose their meaning and value unless accompanied by action that vindicates their promise.

Three key issues will serve as hurdles to President Obama's determination to mend U.S. relations with Muslims, reduce anti-Americanism and the threat of terrorism. They are basically the three occupations - Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine.

U.S. military presence in Iraq is a constant reminder to Muslims of America's vindictive invasion of an Arab state that we now euphemistically call as "war of choice". American operations in Afghanistan continue to cause innocent civilian casualties underscoring the Muslim belief that the West has no regard for Muslim security and Muslim lives. Finally, the continued misery of over three million Palestinians under Israeli military occupation of West Bank and blockade of Gaza makes it impossible for Muslims to reconcile their anger towards the U.S. who they see as the primary and sole sponsor of Israel.

From now on how President Obama deals with these three conflicts will shape Muslim perceptions of the US and not how he talks about them.

Clearly there are many reasons why many Muslims are miserable. They include economic underdevelopment, absence of democracy, systematic human rights abuses by Muslim regimes, Muslim on Muslim violence and intolerance. Their leaders, who lack vision, integrity and purpose, have long abandoned Muslims. President Obama through this speech may not have conquered Muslim hearts and minds, but he certainly has ignited hope of a peaceful and dignified future.

As an American Muslim, as I listened to President Obama today, I truly felt that he was my Amir (leader). Indeed, no leader has inspired so much confidence in the future, and so much pride in America as has Barrack Hussein Obama.

Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Director of Islamic Studies at the University of Delaware and Fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

By Muqtedar Khan | June 5, 2009; 4:45 AM ET Save & Share:
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"One element of the discourse was Obama's portrayal of himself as a man comfortable with faith. He quoted from the Qur'an, the Torah and the Bible, and this will go far in undoing the widely held Muslim perception of America as a God-less materialist society."

Bush isn't "a man comfortable with faith"?

Bush didn't quote from the Quran, the Torah and Bible in speeches? He has. Not only this, he visited mosques and temples, held dinners and visits celebrating Ramadan and lighting menorrahs.

But I guess if it's Bush, it doesn't count.

If you're a celebrity rock star like Obama, *wild applause*- even if you're perpetuating Bush-era policies (renditions, wiretaps, surge in Afghanistan, Guantanamo still open and troops still in Iraq, Bush 2007 EO that prohibited torture revoked by Obama 2009 Eo that said much the same thing, state secrets, etc, etc); but if you're Bush carrying this out, *crickets* and boos.

If Obama can make traction and inroads with the Muslim world on this, more power to him. but it's farcical to applaud the man without recognizing the cult of personality.

-wordsmith from nantucket
floppingaces.net

Posted by: skarpheddin | June 8, 2009 9:32 AM
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Mahabarrrr Mr. KHAN (King) & CO.,:

Question: Can Obama (Our SECULAR King&Queen) contemplate the Possibility of "PARDON'ing [Forgiving] some or all of them so-called [sentenced & not sentenced?] Religio Possesed Finatic JIHADDIST [Killers?] sometime in the future, based on "GOOD BAHAVIOR" or REPENTANCE?

Note Below is recycled material from both Saly Quinns Spool & the Sister "Slate" Blogg!

---
"Suggestion: Brother, not Brethren, but revrant Obama should Go to Cuba & visit , through Bars/Fences 1 or several Prisoners (Accused terrorist). I bet You, like a preacher fella who visits "The Prisoners", that Obama will desuade them & Convert Them to think the right way! aka {Apocalypt}arianize them out of thier (not OUR) Pre-}Apocalypt"arianity? Note: They should incarsarate their IMMAM's too!

Imagine if Brother Obama goes to [His/Our] Guantanomo-Jail-House-Island w/the the Magnificant "Holy Quran" in Hand & Starts "Telling It like it Is"? i [WE] believe He can Change these Son's a bi{tch's! Includes Visiting/Touring American Public (not secret) Prisons SYSTEM too."
---

Something Interesting recently happened. In the News the otherday, in New York City [Bronx?], there was a black [ex Christian turned Muslom Armed with a Baseball-Bat ROBBER, aka TERRORIST?] man attempting to Robb a genuine Muslom {Pakistani? or Yemenite?] DRUG PARAPHANELIA shop Owner; whom turned the Robber ariund & sent him FREE with a generous gift of $40.00 Cash & some.

Was this A Great Show Of Compassion??? NO! NO! NO! Tell Ye why: Islam sais that Atomic Bombs is "HARAM" (not Kosher/Hallal/Dirty) & is thus Non-Islamic/Sharia like. And so the Question is; What is a ISLAMIC Business man doing Selling NON Islamic DRUG PARAPENELIA??

Is [biz] a front for laundering/washing illegal blood money via DRUGS such as Heroin or Hashish (imported from Afghanistan/Pakistan/Cashmere/Turkey/Lebonon etc..) by ISLAMIC Couriers whom make their connections in the MOSQUES of America????

Why do, in NEW YORK & USA, do American YEMEN & Pakistanian Biz folk seem to be in the Grocery Store MONOPOLY sell Crack-Pipes & HAM & LIQUOR & DICE, Poker Cards etc...??? And THEN "REPATRIATE" theose Ill gotten HARAM gains back to Pakistan/Afghanistan, India, YEMEN etc..!!??

Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 7, 2009 3:46 PM
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President Obama is positive energy personified and our fragile world can only become a much better place for it. Ad Multos Annos Mr. President!

Posted by: esilef | June 7, 2009 3:06 AM
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ABHAB does not know that Dubai is not oil based economy.

Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

ABHAB has opinions without knowledge and does not know how to establish cause-and-effect relationship.

Go back to school, ABHAB.

Posted by: zebra4 | June 6, 2009 1:00 PM
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Zebra said:

“They have never seen the skyscrapers of Malaysia, the booming economies of Dubai, Qatar or Abu Dhabi, the poverty of poorest Christian nation in the Western hemisphere--Haiti. Nor have they seen the poverty of the Philippines, Mexico and Latin America.”

I never said that being a non-Muslim is a sure guarantee of prosperity and enlightment. I only wandered why the ten societies with the worst cases of illiteracy, ignorance, poverty and corruption are Muslim majority societies. As for the Emirates, those are city states floating on an ocean of oil. Yet their GDP along with all the other Arab countries do not add up to that of Spain or Canada.

Posted by: abhab | June 6, 2009 8:24 AM
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I guess we can see how much of the discussion in general is spam and trolling.

Gods alive, JJ, you haven't heard a word anyone's said n at least three years, what makes you think you can spam boards about whatever's in your head?

If ou even bother to read, speak as a person. Plainly. and briefly.

What would be one thing you would like. From a real, single, regular person?

Posted by: Paganplace | June 6, 2009 2:36 AM
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E B B O -- P A T E L & CO., is a Bad Jealous Muslom!

AND: Don't Worry KEEP BUSY:

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IMPORTANT: Rich, Middle-class or Poor, If YE hath All these “4-Tetra-Needs“ then Ye hath No Worry’s on this Blesseth Holy Cosmic Miraculous, & zero biblical Sin, S.pace-S.hip Planet EARTH, aka S.S. GAiA, S.S. GEOiD, S.S. TELLUSng something!

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Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 6, 2009 12:08 AM
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E B B O -- P A T E L & CO., is a Bad Jealous Muslom!

AND: Don't Worry KEEP BUSY:

Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 6, 2009 12:06 AM
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AND: Don't Worry KEEP BUSY:

Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 6, 2009 12:05 AM
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AND: Don't Worry KEEP BUSY:

Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 5, 2009 11:42 PM
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">H>E>L>L>O>W>O>R>L>>D>>>>>">http://./>>>>>
Imagine if Ye could not post the word "JESUS?
or MOSES? or
MUHAMMAD,
VYASA?
GAUTAMA?
CONFUCIOUS? or
Borak Obama or SAlly Quinn...? et al

This WAPO blogg is un-American) not a team Players! "NEWSCORP" (from England) does not like the Peaceful U.N. "UNESCO" 400 Year [international] Anniversery of GALALIO's telescope [pbuh & similarly situated Victims of the Vatican].

http://www.astronomy{2009.org}

FRM CONEY ISLAND NEW YORK

Note: Please paste http://www.astronomy{2009.org} into Ye address/Browser window & remove only the Left & Right 'Curly Brackets'.

Beware: If ye (for the Heck of It) post this (bare URL) & hit the "Submit" key; Ye will get a "DENIAL OF SERVICE" . Curse Words are not the only words that are "SENSORED"!

Try the word "SHi{L}OH" (means Peace) & "Post".

Is it TRUE (opposite MYTH) that this Blog (onfaith & postglobal) is owned & Controlled by the Vatican/Catholic Church? or is It Queen/King of England?

---
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Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 5, 2009 11:41 PM
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AND: Don't Worry KEEP BUSY:

Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 5, 2009 10:26 PM
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Some people are intent on a disinformation campaign about Muslims and Muslim societies. These individuals live in a coccoon and have never stepped out of their coccoon.

They have never seens the skyscrapers of Malaysia, the booming economies of Dubai, Qatar or Abu Dhabi, the poverty of poorest Christian nation in the Western hemisphere--Haiti. Nor have they seen the poverty of the Philippines, Mexico and Latin America.

These individuals are not afarid of showing their ignorance and making fools of themselves.

Posted by: zebra4 | June 5, 2009 7:44 PM
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Dr. Khan said:
"Clearly there are many reasons why many Muslims are miserable. They include economic underdevelopment, absence of democracy, systematic human rights abuses by Muslim regimes, Muslim on Muslim violence and intolerance. Their leaders, who lack vision, integrity and purpose, have long abandoned Muslims."

Many people, including myself, are curious why this long list of shortcomings is endemic to mostly Muslim majority societies. Any thoughts on the reason behind all the other reasons?

Posted by: abhab | June 5, 2009 5:24 PM
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A few minutes ago (in Brooklyn, N.Y.) i saw some of me Arab, Turkish islamic Friends, vendors & clients. And i assure Ye that the Atmosphere here is Jovial! There is more Calm & more assertivness in them/US. Their Smiles glow!

Note: i is an Israeli (no more Jewish; but now EKLAH-tarian, aka an ).

Important: What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Soo,

HOLYi-H-O-P-E for American (and abroad)Judeo Jews/Christ/Islam + HOLYi-H-O-P-E for American Judeo Hundus + Buddhists + Confusions, Taoists etc.. is at an all time high! Yes, There's alot of HOPE IN THE AIR! Me not only justly see it but FEEL it!

It is only a matter of time that the iSRAELi flag will fly in Riyad, Saudi Arabia et al!

Important: Note: Me no thinketh-so that Al Israel will permit, nor tolerate it's finatic citizenz to Land Grab further. IF they do, ELSE,

The so called "... Unbreakable Bond w/iSRAEL ..." as OUR Obama mentioned can & will will be broken if israel disrespects America's wishes.

So Hear YE Hear Ye O' Sweet Israel; STOP IN THE NAME OF (SECULAR) LAW, not Biblical!

Remember Eretz Yisroel, the RULE OF LAW is superior to any Biblical Law; includes Sharia, Halakah, Caste etc..

Happy Every-Day, Happy G-D hunting & Good Selling!

Eeeee Haaaaa! Pre-Apocalyptarians are FREE at last FREE at last, Thank EKLAH S.S. Earth is gonna be Free At Last!

Praise the Holyi-NO-MAN/WOMB! Praise "IT"!

Posted by: InterfaithNation | June 5, 2009 5:09 PM
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"U.S. military presence in Iraq is a constant reminder to Muslims of America's vindictive invasion of an Arab state that we now euphemistically call as "war of choice"."

That's not a euphemism. That's a condemnation of the previous administration's policies and foreign policy blunders.

If it's a 'war of choice' it's unjustified.

Posted by: Paganplace | June 5, 2009 3:14 PM
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Obama's Charisma Ignites Hope in Muslim Hearts

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