Obama shows Muslims America's best side

[babylonsister]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1516221,CST-EDT-edit08a.article

Obama shows Muslims America's best side

April 8, 2009


If the war on terror is a war to win over the hearts and minds of young Muslims, the United States can have no better charmer in chief than President Obama.

Obama's recent charm offensive through Turkey showed the president at his best at salving the wounds that the previous administration inflicted on our country's reputation.

His trip was more than a shoring up of relations with Turkey, a key NATO ally, as it faces political and economic difficulties.

It was a critical step to deprive terrorist leaders of a recruiting tool.

It's a lot harder to sell the United States as the Great Satan when the nation's chief executive visits with words of tolerance and partnership -- and a friendly smile.

In his speeches, Obama stressed that Muslim Americans are an important part of the ethnic and racial mix of the United States, and that a sincere respect for Islam is critical to our country's success abroad.

"The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans," Obama said in a speech to the Turkish parliament. "Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country -- I know, because I am one of them."

snip//

As a candidate, Obama was never sufficiently forceful in rejecting anti-Muslim stereotypes.

But in the last few days, when it has counted most, he has more than made up for it.

[Kalyke]

1. Wonder if Freepers would stop writing numbers if they knew we

used Arabic numerals.

:)


Seriously, as the mother of a boy who is half Arabic, I love reading things like this.

[babylonsister]

2. Ha! I love reading things like this, because

it's such a refreshing new page after the past 8 years. Our president continues to impress!