Muslim World Speaks Out on Obama

[babylonsister]

Muslim World Speaks Out on Obama
By YASSER KHALIL
Published: June 18, 2008


CAIRO -- U.S. Senator Barack Obama represents a phenomenon that has drawn global attention and captivated the minds of Muslims around the world as he wages a spirited campaign to become the next president of the United States. In spite of the campaign's heated debate and some controversial rhetoric regarding Islam, large segments of Muslims remain fascinated with the election and have become big fans of Obama.

This level of support for an American presidential candidate is unprecedented in the Muslim world. The fact that it comes amidst an almost unanimous feeling of indignation and rage towards U.S. foreign policy – particularly in Iraq and Palestine – makes it even more noteworthy.

The simple explanation is that many Muslims see new reason for hope in the political approach of Obama and his advisors. His apparent eagerness to rally more international support for U.S. policy, and even talk to America's "enemies," is cause for optimism. Imagine what global politics might look like in Iraq, or Sudan, or Afghanistan, if Obama-like vision had influenced U.S. leadership earlier.

As an Arab Muslim in Egypt who is affected by U.S. foreign policy, I believe an Obama approach may help solve the accumulated problems between Muslims and the United States that have become more aggravated since the Sept, 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

New and more creative techniques for dealing with extremists instead of the controversial methods used by the current U.S. administration could also stop giving al-Qaida and other such groups the pretext for recruiting new members. Then, perhaps, extremists would lose the arguments that fuel their criminal machine and lead them to destroy innocent people.

more...

http://www.metimes.com/Opinion/2008/06/18/muslim_world_speaks_out_on_obama/2484/

Yasser Khalil is an Egyptian researcher and journalist. This article, translated from Arabic, was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews) and originally appeared in the Christian Science Monitor.

[loveable liberal]

1. how will the reich wing turn this into a negative?

People with hope turning to an actual leader; looking to the United States for aid in their embattled countries. Yet the reich wing will say that he is a Muslim sympathizer and anti-christian. Without a doubt the neonazi-cons will try and change hope back into fear. Resist the urge to live in fear.

[FrenchieCat]

2. You know they will. Anything now with the word Muslim in it is

being used as a wedge toward the negative.

It is sad that those in power in the United States still use Bigotry as an ad to sell their bankrupt ideologies.

[babylonsister]

3. I'm getting e-mails to that effect, every one of them berating

Muslims or connections to Muslims, regardless of how untrue.

We just have to keep letting them know they're nuts, with facts. This blind, irrational hatred towards anything Muslim that this admin has cultivated aggravates the hell out of me.

[Dark]

5. I think they'll say the muslims just support him because he'll destroy the U.S.

They've already said it a few times.

Just once, could we have an election based on the issues.

[Inuca]

6. Yes, it can be used against him, and probably will

but if he gets elected, such an attitude will prove to be enormously beneficial. Just one more reminder of how important is to have Obama in the WH and one more reason why I have no patience for the purer than though crowd that cannot see the forest for the trees.

[TexanDem]

9. (deleted - misplaced) sorry.

[corkhead]

7. the 23%ers won't vote for him no matter what anyway. It won't stick with the other 77%

I am not concerned. Newsweek has Obama up by 15 points, this after all the shit that is already been thrown at him.

[Imagevision]

4. Mahamad Ali was a muslim -WTF?!?!

[Duke Newcombe]

8. But he *entertained* us, don't you see...

As long as you're willing to beat someone up, or hit a horsehide ball far, or run across a field with a pigskinned sphere, or do a jig or sing for us, we'll put up with your "kooky" belief.

Even his athletic prowess didn't protect Muhammad Ali completely.

Duke

[TexanDem]

10. Super article! This should speak to those who think he pandered to AIPAC n/t