An Open Letter to President Obama
Dear Mr. President,
Allow me first to congratulate you, the American people and all believers in liberty, equality and human rights all over the world on this remarkable occasion.
I can't seem to be able to restrain myself from saying how much I envy the American people on this day for electing their first ever African-American President; I say this because I happen to know the context of this achievement and the fact that the Civil Rights Movement started less than 5 decades ago.
We, the Arabs, on the contrary seem to be moving in the opposite direction on various fronts, and we, ourselves, are mainly to blame for our shortcomings.
However, sir, there is no question that mistakes and ill-advised policies implemented by previous US administrations have also had a huge toll on the saddening realities the Middle East continues to live with today.
I speak as one of many whose voices are not usually heard in traditional media; after all, I am not a religious extremist who pledges the destruction of 'The West', nor am I your stereotypical 'Angry-Faced Arab' who burns American flags and despises symbols of your culture.
On the contrary, I am what you call the 'Average Joe' of the Arab world and your country has thankfully invited me 2 years ago to tour it and learn of about its diversity and uniqueness as a State Department's International Visitor under the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists.
I am sure you will be happy to learn that I found Americans to be very hospitable and welcoming of their guests, a trait we also have in the Arab World.
On the other hand, many of the citizens of your beautiful country were amazed to find that us Arabs share the same passion for life and eagerness for progress; I was pleased to have left the US knowing that at least some of the people who now became my friends are aware that like any other culture, we too could be divided into 'The good, The bad and The ugly'!
I utilized my stay in the US to learn more about Edward Murrow and the history and achievements of American journalism; and while there were many arguments made about the role the American media is playing today, especially with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I found it quite comforting to know that at least under the first amendment, one could really say anything one likes.
Based on all of that, Sir, I find myself at ease in writing this letter to you, hoping you manage to read it before your Blackberry is taken away and you start consuming media in the form of briefings, as I clearly don't think I am so important to make it into one of those.
All what I want to say, Mr. President, is that you bring a lot of hope to my region, and that people are counting on you to make a change for the better and to once and for all bring peace and prosperity to this very troubled part of the world.
We know that we shouldn't be expecting miracles, and that there are more pressing issues on your agenda, especially the economy which the whole world expects you to focus on for everyone's sake.
However, Sir, unlike myself... you are in no way, shape or form an 'average Joe', as of today you are leading the world's number 1 super-power, and you are doing this after winning a battle with preconceived ideas and racial barriers that you have managed to overcome.
I would like to assure you, Mr. President, that contrary to what many Americans might think, there is no hatred engraved in Arabs towards the US, in fact we have long praised your country for the true chivalry it showed in liberating Kuwait and standing up against racial cleansing in the Balkans.
Having said this, there is no question that the consistent support of Israel by consecutive American administrations upsets us; especially when Israel, a state that was created as a result of a UN resolution but remarkably leads the way in disobeying UN resolutions, continues to use its arsenal of latest American weapons and taps into he huge resources made available from your country to bring hell upon the Palestinians.
I ask you, Sir, not to subscribe to the argument that what is going there is a religious or cultural war, and that you stop this "doom's day" scenario from occurring.
The fact of the matter is that even though some parties on both side might like to portray it this way, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn't and was never a religious one; The Palestinian cause ever-since the era of the British mandate was a national one; Palestinians until today remain to consist of Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Even those who are burning American flags today, once held them in pride when your country was bringing hope of a better life; just ask your newly appointed Secretary of State, Mrs. Clinton, I am sure she remembers the warm welcome she and her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, received upon their historic visit to (the now devastated) Gaza in the mid-90s. (Please see the image below from AFP Archive which shows Palestinian kids preparing for Mr. Clinton's visit)
All we ask of you Americans, Sir, is a more balanced approach towards this conflict.
As you rightly said previously, Israel has a right to defend itself when its civilians are being targeted, and Hamas is surely wrong to be targeting civilian areas when it accuses Israel of doing the same.
However, does this give the IDF a right to kill more than a 1000 Palestinians, mostly innocent civilians who have already suffered from a humiliating 60 year occupation, in the few weeks that preceded your inauguration?
Again, no miracles are expected of you, Mr. President.
All what we can ask for is that whenever you repeat that Israel has a right to defend itself, it would be great if you could kindly also stress that the Palestinians have a right in re-establishing their own state.
On another front, we are happy to hear that you intend to withdraw US troops from Iraq. I do hope that you initiate some sort of a Marshal Plan for the Iraqi people, many of which live without the basics of life, jobs or hope for a better future.
I leave it here to you Mr. President, praying sincerely that you bestow some of the 'hope' you brought upon your own people to my part of the world, can you make this happen?... well, let us just say that my feeling is "Yes, You Can".
Good luck, Sir!
Faisal J. Abbas
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Faisal, pardon me for directing my comments to you personally. I did not intend a personal insult. I have no problem with the reality that Palestinians are people with different beliefs. I have no problem with anyone's religion.
But the matter of Palestine greater than just the Palestinian people.
The grander viewpoint is a Clash which the West initiated and America sustains.
Read Huntington's book and he admits this. And he encourages America to sustain the achievements of this 'Clash'. Michael Oren's book Power, Faith, Fantasy accurated shows how the West and America have treated the Muslim world.
Obama is continuing this tradition through elevating Israel above accountability and justice. Ultimately, the American people need to know the truth of their reality.
Electing Obama is not enough.
Great letter Faisal... Only time will tell!
Faisal is either niave, or just trying to play American readers. There is a Clash of Civilizations, and the WEST dominated the Muslim world by colonization, occupation, oppression. Israel is PART of that colonization and subjugation of the Muslim world.
Its quite notable that the European empires invoked the Christian Crusaders when they conquered and colonized the Muslim world. Both French and English Colonial commanders visited the grave of Salahdeen and revealed comments towards him.
Israel is part of all that. The Crusaders set up fortresses in the Holyland as beachfronts for Europe. But the colonizers then did not last. Zionists provide the perfect settlers who would proof to unsettle the heart of the Muslim world.
If you don't like this interpretation of events, so be it. But the historical evidence is there. America is the biggest supporter of Israel. Meanwhile, America also supports the dictators and tyrants of the Muslim world. If America was for 'freedom', why would it support tyranny over 100s of millions of people?
I'm not going to challenge your narrative or your interpretation, per se, but I would caution against characterizing this as a "clash of civilizations." In the US especially, this concept is used to justify some fairly brutal, callous and unjust actions.
I know for a fact, from my own interaction with Muslims, that Islam really is more tolerant a faith than either Christianity or Judaism have been, historical and to a large extent, in contemporary terms as well. Israel is indeed one of the last vestiges of European colonialism, and as a result they are losing support among Europeans who increasingly see Israel for the remnant of philosophies long rejected by modern society. I don't think this situation is going to last -- Israel cannot operate in the way that it does without US support, and that support is eroding, perhaps only slowly as far as social consensus is concerned, but very quickly with regards to economic and military projection. The US and Israel cannot afford to wage a war against the rest of the world -- which is exactly the situation Israel's actions have threatened to place us in.
See Faisal Abbas's Profile
"Faisal is either niave, or just trying to play American readers"... hmm, that sounds a lot like a particular person who we always criticized for saying "you are either with us, or against us"... doesn't it?
Now you wouldn't like to be thought of in the same way many people think of that particular person, would you.. Usama?
However, back to the main issue; Again, Palestinians consist of Muslims, Jews and Christians.... the issue is Palestinian land and identity, not a war against Islam.
I second what Chaos4700 says; I would be very careful about using the term 'clash of civilazations' .. its a recipe for a never-ending war, a 'doom's day scenario' indeed.
This is a fine piece of reporting: balanced,nuanced and gets to the core of the Palestine issue bedevilling much of the world for so long. Personally, I believe President Obama's options to deal with this are very limited, mostly to do with his priority agenda,namely the domestic economy. Given this challenge, how can he confront head on AIPICand its many agents in the White House,Congress,Media and the Military?
Great letter Faisal. Thank you.
This is a very engaging and interesting letter. I enjoyed the tone and spirit of your message. I know I speak on behalf of many in the US when I say that we appreciate your kind words about our country. I hope the President does read your letter, it is very convincing. You have a gift for communicating as well as diplomacy. Many on the left--and in the overall US--have different opinions on the matter at hand. I speak as just one of the many people, I cannot speak for everyone else. In my own opinion, we should take a leadership position and explain to Israel that a solution to the problem is long overdue, it is draining for the world to turn to the news daily only to discover that yet again, there is more conflict in the region. This never-ending situation diminshes the morale of everyone. I care for the Israelis and I admire their great abilities, so I do not mean any disrespect to them when I say that we need to meet the Palestinian's requests, including 1967 borders. The people of Palestine need to be opened up to the world so that they can be provided the education and the support they need, and vote out Hamas. Please understand that many here do care, and there are journalists who are empathetic toward the Palestinians. We will keep trying very hard to "make" our government take the lead and authority in the situation.
See Faisal Abbas's Profile
Those are very kind words Lisa, and I as well as many others in my region know that there are a lot of American that do care.... I think what is more important that Mr. Obama reading my letter is that he listens to the voices of citizens like you.
Heartfelt letter that sets the groundwork for either better or worse to happen in the new administration. For an African-American president to be elected on a platform of hope, there is certainly much to be hopeful for!
I agree with an earlier comment, the end shot speaks for itself...
I really liked your letter, but as an American in today's climate, I can tell you that your belief in the American government and the ideals it is based upon are naive. The Zionists have taken control of the government , and more importantly the media.
Remember Free Speech ? Well, I can tell you that is only for the Zionist faction. The rest of us never get any airtime or ink, and if we do dare criticize allmighty Israel we are labeled as anti-semitic. Further, the American public has succumbed to the Israeli Propoganda machine that satanizes Hamas and the Palestinian people to the point that many would prefer just to "nuke 'em".
I wish I had better news to report, because I too fell into Obama's spell when he was on the campaign. I volunteered and donated money to help get him elected, only to realize in the last months that he really is no different than the rest of them.
But hey, I could be wrong.... miracles can happen..... I hope I am wrong.
See Faisal Abbas's Profile
I am finding that 'new media' is much more liberal and open to all views, however its going to take some time to be as effective as tradional media such as television or print...
However, I can't say I am not quite enthused by the debate that occures on these pages...
Regarding your views on Obama, I sincerly hope you are wrong... too !
"When I visited Ramallah, among a group of Palestinian students, one of the things that I said to those students was: “Look, I am sympathetic to you and the need for you guys to have a country that can function, but understand this: if you’re waiting for America to distance itself from Israel, you are delusional. Because my commitment, our commitment, to Israel’s security is non-negotiable.” I’ve said this in front of audiences where, if there were any doubts about my position, that’d be a place where you’d hear it."--Obama
Obama will not do anything the Zionist AIPAC lobby won't let him. He has already pledged his support to Israel in exchange for $$. Do a google search and you can see his speeches/comments/thoughts on this subject .
It is very unfortunate as it is no different from Bush's ME policy
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=qWXx2VYoqbU&feature=channel_page
Fully agree...with a Mossad agent as his Chief of Staff and so many Zionist as advisers , can he do anything to change the course? Or will he be allowed to do anything?
"American people and all believers in liberty, equality and human rights all over the world"
Too bad their government does not believe in this!
Liberty? 4th Amendement ignored, immunity for telecoms, homeland security and the patriot act do NOT respect liberty.
Equality? Not if your Muslim or a Serb Christian!
Human rights? That's funny you mention this with torture as an accepted policy which is a violation of the 8th Amendement.
You have a lot of explaining to do.
dear faisal nice emotional letter,please do include tjis mini briliant american documentary with your letter to president obama,i am sure he needs to see it,as to understand the core of this conflict.
http://vodpod.com/watch/1249063-landscapes-of-occupation-in-palestine?pod=alexropus
This wonderful photo says it all.
Yeah I'm certainly hoping Obama can help bring peace to the middle east. I also hope that the blind support for Isreal will end. That may the only way for peace.
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