Meet the Muslims: Obama in Cairo

President Obama invites Muslim communities worldwide to join him as a "partner" dedicated to ending a "cycle of suspicion and discord." He strives "to seek a new beginning between the US and Muslims all around the world." Although Obama confessed, "no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust," he hopes Muslim communities will invest faith in his iconic presence as the world's first multicultural Superman and new ambassador of a tolerant, introspective and cooperative America.

Judging from the hype espoused by international news media and the blogosphere, Obama's address in Cairo, Egypt was the Star Wars: Episode 1 of political speeches. Although the biracial son of a Kenyan man, who was raised in Indonesia and adorned with a middle name "Hussein", continued the elegant pleasantries to Muslims as echoed in his previous speeches, his bouillabaisse speech illuminated several gems despite offering little in terms of how his vision will be realized.

Obama's speech, which was meticulously and strategically crafted as if penned by a chess master, had to simultaneously appease millions humiliated and dejected by a hypocritical and brutal U.S. foreign policy, and also justify U.S. objectives without appearing imperialistic or apologetic.

Indeed, many in the right wing pundit-sphere have already lambasted Obama's attempt at cordiality and self awareness of sins past -- such as his mentioning of U.S. helping overthrow democratically elected Iranian President Mossadegh in 1953 - as a form of "weakness." These antiquated relics of Yosemite Sam, cowboy diplomacy fail to realize Bush's ill-fated ventures in Iraq and his belligerent rhetoric of unilateral aggression have soured vital relationships with Muslim communities. These diverse communities should have been treated as allies especially after the global empathy directed towards America following the 9-11 tragedy.

Listening to his words, Obama -- who was greeted with "We Love You" from the packed Cairo University Hall -- seemed to learn and evolve from the egregious mistakes of the former President, who acquired valuable evasive techniques while dodging shoes in his last Middle Eastern press conference.

Cementing his theme of "partnership," Obama intelligently intertwined the historical legacies of both Islam and "The West", highlighting the significant technological, scientific and medical contributions of a vibrant Islamic civilization that contributed to the evolution of the European Renaissance. As an American, he empathized with Islam's "racial equality" and hope for "religious tolerance" while acknowledging, "Islam has been a part of America's story" -- citing Morocco's recognition of the legitimacy of a then nascent United States of America with the 18th century Treaty of Tripoli. Furthermore, Obama cited the Quran nearly four times, each time greeted with a loud applause from an appreciative Muslim audience grateful that this Administration treats their Holy text with respect instead of flushing it down an Abu Ghraib toilet.

However, the reality remains the U.S. has killed thousands of innocents with their unilateral, reckless and unnecessary war in Iraq. The current military offensive in Pakistan and Afghanistan continues to yield causalities rising on a daily basis. Furthermore, the U.S. supports brutal dictators to the tune of billions annually, such as Egypt's very own Hossni Mubarak, which paralyzes the people's legitimate attempts at democratic reform.

Although Obama acknowledged Muslims have suffered under the yoke of colonialism and their countries have been selfishly used as "Cold War proxies," he did not apologize for what many in the world deem as American intransigence. Obama promised the U.S. is not a "self interested empire" although the devastating casualties of 50 years of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East would surely cause most to disagree.

Instead of dealing with this historical legacy -- which would be inconvenient to say the least -- Obama is seeking a "clean break" and urged that if we are "bound by the past, then we can't move forward."

Despite his shameful silence over Israel's recent brutal bombardment of Gaza, which killed more than 1,300 Palestinians, Obama deserves credit for acknowledging the suffering of the Palestinian people whom he said have "endured the daily humiliations -- large and small -- that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable."

Although Obama reassured the world the U.S. bond with Israel is "unbreakable," and the onus on stopping violence lays on both parties -- despite a global acknowledgment of the vast disparity between the occupied and occupiers -- it was refreshing, honest and most welcome to hear a U.S. President refer to the Palestinians as actual human beings with a legitimate source of grievance. Obama's reference to the civil rights struggle in America comparing the plight of African Americans for recognition and dignity to the Palestinian hope for self-determination and respect was bold and inspiring.

Obama's desire for a two-state solution and his adamant stance on the illegitimacy of Israeli settlements on occupied Palestine land will undoubtedly cause friction with the bellicose hawk Netanyahu and the powerful AIPAC lobby. The world waits to see if Israel continues on its course of settlement building, which would not only undermine the peace process and continue to inflame extremists, but also seriously humiliate America as a neutered superpower that cannot influence its ally, even though it supplies Israel with billions in foreign aid.

Unlike Bush, Obama at least offered to talk to Iran, thereby opening avenues of negotiation and discussion "without precondition on basis of mutual respect." However, Obama quite hypocritically expressed concern about nations developing nuclear weapons and desired -- quite fancifully -- that "no nations" would have nuclear weapons one day, despite being the President of the only country in history to ever use such weapons. The sad reality that is acknowledged by all is that the mutually assured destruction scenario is perhaps the only reliable stalemate preventing World War III, thus ensuring threatened nations will undoubtedly seek and develop nuclear weapons in the near and distant future.

However, there is hope. Despite being routinely viewed as anti-American, extremist fanatics who despise democracy, Muslims in Cairo warmly applauded Obama's statements on the promotion of democracy, free speech, women's rights, education and technology. The audience also applauded each time Obama quoted a verse from the Quran, and especially when he began his speech with "Assalam Alikum."

The fallacious statement that religiosity is incompatible with secular democracy, or that religious people, like Muslims, cannot coexist with "Western" ideals of liberalism should be moot especially in the face of popular Muslim support for secular governments in Turkey and Indonesia. Furthermore, Obama should be applauded for reaching out to such religious communities and including them in the dialogue. Sadly, many liberals assail religion to the point of religious bigotry and needlessly and quite foolishly turn away valuable allies in the faith-based communities willing to unite over shared goals.

According to a Gallup poll, an overwhelming majority of Muslims embrace democracy and democratic principles, yet many live under the tyrannical boot of selfish autocrats who stifle such reform movements. Although Obama gave a subtle jab to Arab dictators, like Egypt's Mubarak, when he said, "there are some who advocate for democracy only while they are in power, once in power they are ruthless in suppressing rights of others," he must acknowledge that the U.S. has always supported these dictators as reliable and convenient allies.

If Obama is truly seeking partnership with Muslims in combating the fringe element of extremists and terrorists, he must leverage U.S. economic and military power to influence the viable growth of democratic movements in countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Muslims must also extend their hand and meet Obama in the middle - those who are apathetic must jettison their nihilism and stereotypical attitudes towards the United States as the epicenter of all moral and ethical evil, and instead make proactive efforts to reclaim their religion and their values hijacked by a fringe, terrorist minority. Muslim Americans must also put up or shut up. One cannot expect a voice at the table if one is unwilling to participate in dialogue, cooperate with their neighbors, or engage in civic institutions.

Towards the end of his speech, Obama stated that we, as a global community, must "choose the right path, not the easy path." This statement reminded me of a verse in the first chapter of the Quran, Surat Al-Fatiha, which means "The Opening." Muslims recite the following in their daily prayers: "Guide us to the straight path; The path of those on whom You have bestowed your grace, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who go astray."

Placating words, inspiring speeches and promises of mutual respect is most welcomed and an encouraging progress towards partnership. Ultimately, action and conduct define the righteousness of one's professed intentions. After decades of mutual distrust, enmity and bloodshed, the world hopes Obama's visit to Cairo opens an avenue of conciliation and respect between Muslim communities and the United States -- a path where both partners can finally meet in the middle and extend their hands in friendship and understanding.

Follow Wajahat Ali on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WajahatAli

Comments

[Macready]

Thank you for posting . . . we all have to work together on this . . . Obama can't do it alone . . . as for israel . . . there are more and more Americans who feel as I do . . . it is more than time the plug was pulled on this rogue state . . . It will take UN sanctions to break them . . .

We have to help the Palestinians for far too long they have suffered for the holocaust which is and was an European problem . . .

[ModernTimes1]

"Placating words, inspiring speeches and promises of mutual respect is most welcomed and an encouraging progress towards partnership."

Hmm, so when would you, Mr. Ali and people of your community learn to reciprocate in the same manner?

[arle]

Are you refering to Egyptians? All Muslims anywhere in the world? Can you even tell them apart? Oh that's right. You can't.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/obamas-call-to-the-faithf_b_211930.html?show_comment_id=25299549#comment_25299549

[nerakami]

-....despite offering little in terms of how his vision will be realized.
:...According to a Gallup poll, an overwhelming majority of Muslims embrace democracy and democratic principles,"
===============================================================

Your second quote answers your first. It will only take the citizens in these Muslin nations (with assistance from outside Democratic countries) to realize the vision...

Change must come from within.

[ModernTimes1]

Very good point., nerakami!
Unfortunately, even among educated Muslims this fatalistic notion of powerless Muslim, unable to reform because of the bad America still forms majority of the narrative.

Yes, I understand it is not easy for Egyptians to confront corruption, illiteracy, various religious fundamentalist and government to achieve change.
Much easier to complain about Amerika and Israel.

[arle]

Considering the Egyptian dictator is propped up by US foreign aid, and that we only pay Egypt because we have to pay Israel as per the Camp David Accords? I think the Egyptians are doing both, simultaneously.

[Khirad]

Excellent piece. Listening to the speech, though not knowing Arabic, I too caught many subtle Quranic connotations lost on people like ZIPCODE: the straight path, humanity, etc. I marveled at its skilled craftsmanship -- made to be translated into over a dozen languages with a Muslim audience.

I am still amazed that when conservatives quip that this won't solve anything, that they believe he has some sort of magic wand or something. He himself, as you pointed out said "no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust" -- this is a reset, nothing more. The more they criticize the more they reveal they didn't listen to the speech in toto.

I will also never understand how acknowledging a FACT -- cold and simple, that everyone else already knows to be a FACT, like Mossadegh's overthrow, is "weak." This was true strength and moral conviction. Think of how ridiculous it would be in an interpersonal relationship to not own up to a mistake and promise to correct it? Only the most insecure people have to bluster and overcompensate with affected machismo (with the best fighting men and women in the world, we don't need to front). It is that "Yosemite Sam" attitude that has in fact alienated and driven more to extremism than getting real and living in reality -- a reality in which the Ummah now needs a reformation of its own. Score 1 for Obama claiming the high ground.

[skialethia]

It was a well-crafted, well-delivered and especially well-timed speech just in time to influence the elections in Lebanon and Iran...but was it sincere and will anything really change?

[alexa07]

"Obama promised the U.S. is not a "self interested empire" although the devastating casualties of 50 years of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East would surely cause most to disagree."

President Obama wants to turn a new page as do the majority of Muslims here in the USA & around the world, but as you indicate so well, there are many who would disagee with his words about "self interested empire," most particularly because of oil politics; the ongoing killing of too many civilians in Afghanistan & Pakistan; the continued occupation of Iraq & the entrenched pro-Israel, pro-occupation & pro-settlement lobbies in Washington. Like the lobbies, Rush, Hannity & even Bill Maher on the left are invested in keeping the hostilities, old stereotypes & bad humor about Muslims in the forefront, but with the world's population of Muslims at least 1.5 billion people, we can't have an American foreign policy for the 21st century that does not respect the Muslim world. President Obama has made a good beginning to repair the damage of many yrs. standing.

[ZIPCODE]

'The fallacious statement that religiosity is incompatible with secular democracy, or that religious people, like Muslims, cannot coexist with "Western" ideals of liberalism should be moot especially in the face of popular Muslim support for secular governments in Turkey and Indonesia. "

The Leftists on this web~site think people that believe in G-D, believe in what they call

"Flying Spaghetti Monsters"

Bush was your best friend and now you have these $avages to deal with.

Good Luck!

[ZIPCODE]

Wajahat AliPlaywright, Essayist, Humorist, and Attorney at Law

Humorist?

"Muslims must also extend their hand and meet Obama in the middle - those who are apathetic must jettison their nihilism and stereotypical attitudes towards the United States as the epicenter of all moral and ethical evil, and instead make proactive efforts to reclaim their religion and their values hijacked by a fringe, terrorist minority. Muslim Americans must also put up or shut up. One cannot expect a voice at the table if one is unwilling to participate in dialogue, cooperate with their neighbors, or engage in civic institutions"

Was this an attempt @ humor? (I hope)

Cause I'm laughing my @$$ OFF!

[Khirad]

What, pray tell, was funny about that?

[JoshieB]

I know this article is meant as commentary and not journalism, but I'm curious where you get the figure of 1,300 civilians killed in the Gaza incursion. Leaving aside politics, except to say that it is never acceptable for either side to target civilians (or insufficiently protect against civilian collateral deaths), this is the highest estimate I've seen. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights says 1,285 killed including combatants. The Palestinian Ministry of Health says 1,314 including combatants. Obviously estimates of the percentage killed who were civilians vary from a low given by the IDF to a high given by others, but this is the first I've heard of 1,300 civilians killed. (See, despite inflammatory title: http://mideast.blogs.time.com/2009/02/18/gaza-body-count-were-we-duped/.)

Why does this matter? Why is this more than nit-picking? Because poor adherence to the truth has been a major cause of trouble in the region, and Mr. Ali's exaggeration, however mild it may or may not be, will doubtless be exaggerated itself, until people feel justified in abandoning Darfur, Sri Lanka, and the Sudan as lesser evils than those committed by Israel

President Obama has, in Cairo and Buchenwald, identified the single greatest weapon in the fight against hatred: truth. Let us heed his call and endeavor to seek and share it.

Peace.

[VMA]

Excellent points.