Obama Plans Speech In Islamic Capital

WASHINGTON -- President-elect Barack Obama's aides say he is considering making a major foreign policy speech from an Islamic capital during his first 100 days in office.

So where should he do it? The list of Islamic world capitals is long, and includes the obvious --Riyadh, Kuwait City, Islamabad -- and the not-so-obvious -- Male (the Maldives), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Some wise-guys have even suggested Dearborn, Mich., as a possibility.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[zippy2112]

Maybe he could give a speech in all 57 states and use his middle name (Hussein, for those who did not know he had a middle name, by the way he is also Hawiian)

[roshni]

I vote for Amman, Jordan.
King Abdullah is a great admirer and a moderate ruler.
There are gorgeous backdrops.
It could be more manageable since it's more small scale.

This is a great idea.

[TheyCalledMeSandN]

actually here is my list of sites in Cairo:

Al Azhar Park: www.alazharpark.com
American University in Cairo (new campus): www.aucegypt.edu
Cairo Citadel (overlooking old Cairo): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_Citadel

[roshni]

These are all gorgeous spots - I enjoyed my trip to Cairo 2 years ago. However, Egypt makes me nervous in terms of Obama's security. I think he would be better off in Jordan, Turkey or Indonesia.

[AdamAnt12]

NOT TURKEY, EITHER....Jordan or Iraq...that's it, in terms of safety.

[TheyCalledMeSandN]

Al Azhar Park, Cairo.

[gcallaghan]

Jakarta would be the obvious, conventional venue for this address. But,Barack didn't get to where he is by adhering to the obvious and conventional choices. It would be a far bolder move and capture the attention of a great many more American-haters if he went to Islamabad instead. Stroll right into the enemy's recruiting center and prove that Americans are not afraid of them nor do they have anything to fear from us.

[roshni]

I would really fear for his safety in Islamabad. He should not go to Pakistan.

[Tobiason]

How about Ethiopia? Ethiopia is the best example of tolerance. In Ethiopia, half of the population is muslim, yet they lived peacefully for generations. On second thought, it would be a slap in the face for many oppressed people around the world because Ethiopia's regime is the most brutal dictatorship in Africa if not in the world.

Where ever he goes I think it is the message and actions that matter most.

[MuchMadness]

Let's see some democratic reforms from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan before we even think about a U.S. president giving a speech in one of those nations.

I would rather see a speech from the University of Virginia explaining the First Amendment and the terrible history of coercion and repression when religious authority is intermingled with governmental power. Explain that the United States cherishes its Christina heritage but also respects individual conscience and religious freedom.

[Academic]

Well said MuchMadness!

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[Pip1860]

I would say Tehran because the Iranains are in love with Obama. One Persian guy I met at work told me that his middle name "Hussein" comes from the third Shia Imam (Saint) who was martyred by a tyrinical ruler named Yazid. Yazid was an extremely powerful ruler who wanted to promote slavery, prostitution and treated the poor like vermin. So when the respected and pious Hussein who had few supporters refused to bow down to his wishes he was slaughtered along with his entire family. But then his followers lead a peaceful non-violent rebellion and Yazid was overthrown. So in Iran they are comparing Obama and his campaign to that of Hussein's and believe it or not....George Bush to Yazid. I found this pretty interesting. This is a historica event by the way. I googled Karbala (iraq) where it happened.

[AdamAnt12]

I think you have lost your ever-loving mind. President Obama does NOT need to go to T e h r a n!!!

[RomeoinFl]

I can see al-Zawahiri and al Qaeda just shaking nervously at the thought of this happening.

[rmetz74]

Hooray!

Just this morning I was thinking about how nice it will be to have a President who has traveled. I spent some time in Egypt and Morocco, and learned SO MUCH about the real culture and attitudes of Muslim people there (rather than the paranoid American stereotype) and how much misinformation they have about us.

If Obama can move us toward breaking some of those barriers down, we may actually get somewhere.

[roshni]

I am off to Morocco on Christmas break and can't wait. Enjoyed Egypt two years ago. My daughter and I were actually there when they executed Saddam and we were afraid for our safety, but the people were cordial. I agree that a dialog between people will undo a lot of the stereotypes that are flowing both ways.

[mieaab]

Muslims capitals NOT Islamic capitals actually.
bama can decide among Cairo, Jakarta and Tehran to show his sincerity.
But dont forget Kuala Lumpur.
They all represents Muslim social and economic contribution to the world economy.
Any city he chooses will reflect how serious Obama for world peace.
CIA must not decide for world peace anymore.

[Egalitare]

Jakarta would a homecoming of sorts.

[andyg]

The islamic capital is Mecca.

[tr24]

LMAO...It's fitting!

[ILikeH00ters]

See Obama IS a MUSLlM

[Egalitare]

Ahhhh...no. I don't see how this is proof of that.

[rmetz74]

I've been to London. Does that make me British?

[ILikeH00ters]

If you have bad teeth, than yes you can be labeled as British.

[Ajegunle]

What about JORDAN? They are a US ally in the region.

[chaos4700]

I second that notion. Not only that, but they are a prime example of peace, moderation and tolerance in the Middle East.

[roshni]

My first choice and I love King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

[AdamAnt12]

This is the ONLY M u s l i m country, besides I r a q, that I think Obama should go to....the other ones are t oo d a n g e r o u s...

[SadButWiser]

He should do it in Jakarta, Islamabad, or Cairo. These are the three countries that most need some infusion of hope.