Obama's Offer of a New Beginning

You have got to admit that President Obama’s speech is impressive. It was so well rehearsed and orchestrated, almost without flaws. He touched base with the middle ground, weaving through the seven issues highlighting his concern and depth in showing his hope in confronting these academically. He preached co-existence and mutual understanding. He even used Islamic terms, concepts and quoted a sprinkling of quranic translations. As if to preempt skeptics, he purposely declared that a speech can never tackle all the complexities but he promises a beginning.

This is new and quite groundbreaking for any US or Western leader to acknowledge and address directly the concerns of the Muslim world in a language of dialogue and in trying to speak as one of their own.

Shall he deliver minding the powerful Israeli lobby, the prejudice in the West and the skepticism of Americans themselves?

His speech was delivered in a typically repressive Muslim country where Arabs hold their leaders and themselves in contempt.

For starters, he should begin by deescalating the war in Pakistan, withdraw from Afghanistan and not see resistance as violent extremism, the new euphemism. His words are worthless to the victims of the Swat tragedy which is ongoing even as he speaks of peace.

We shall remain weary of such promises however eloquent and charismatic his words. Still he sounds far better than Bush!



Points to ponder from his speech:

He acknowledges civilization's debt, cultural and scientific contributions to Islam.

He did not use the word terror or terrorists preferring the more generalized term, extremist and violence.

He urges the world to avert and avoid stereotyping Muslims, in turn perceiving and profiling one another. This spells good news in confronting and getting rid of Islamophobia.

He mentioned and treated with respect the prophets Moses, Jesus and Muhammad by saying the salutations (peace be upon them).

He mentioned Hamas without the usual equating it with terror. Instead he recognizes their popularity but urges them to refrain from armed resistance. (The word resistance was used to Israel’s dismay).

He admits the suffering of the Palestinians in the same breath and line as reminding of the Jewish holocaust (to the consternation of Israel).

He promises to withdraw all US troops from the Muslim countries invaded when they are finished.

He is against torture and still promises to close down Guantanamo.

He mentions publicly his full name as Barack Husein Obama.

He admitted Iraq was a mistake but not in so many words.

He says that he is against all nuclear weapons and is seen to be more receptive towards nuclear energy for Iran.

He admits America’s role in bringing down a democratically elected Iranian government in the 50’s.

He offers dialogue with Iran without preconditions.

He presents a moderate and reasonable view of Muslim women. He does not mock the hijab but almost defends the freedom to don one. He subtly exposes those hostile towards Islam and religion under the pretext of liberalism (Sarkozy’s France may not like this).

He promises engagement and offers sharing in entrepreneurship and economic progress.

He showed unequivocal and categorical support for Israel. He stresses unshaken bonds to Israel and bases it on the Jewish nation’s tragic history. He even urged Hamas to recognize Israel’s right to exist.

He insists that war in Afghanistan and Pakistan is justified in pursuit of the violent extremists responsible for 9/11. Again he uses the same al Qaeda threat line except he studiously avoids the word terrorist.