This is probably the first and last time that the above line appears on this blog. After reading Obama’s speech at the Azhar in Cairo, I am left wondering why President Bush couldn’t have given a similar one during his 8 years. Bush was seen as fighting a war against Islam, despite his earnest protestations, and distrust in the Muslim world and hatred for all things American continued to be exacerbated by perceived American attitudes towards the Middle East, Muslims, Islam and the Palestinian-Israeli problem.
What better way to win hearts and minds of Muslims than for the American President, the “Archenemy” or the leader of the “Great Satan” as declared by Iran and Al-Qaeda, to make the following statements in a Muslim country in front of a Muslim audience:
Assalaamu alaykum…
I’ve come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings…
…in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today — to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart…
As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam — at places like Al-Azhar — that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities — (applause) — it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality…
I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they’ve excelled in our sports arenas, they’ve won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library…
In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam….
On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they’ve endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.
Of course, Bush couldn’t relate to Muslims as Obama does, but he didn’t make the effort. Now, don’t get me wrong – I supported Bush in ‘04 and I feel that he is unfairly blamed for some of the mistakes of this administration, but he didn’t make any effort to reach out to Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan or right here at home. Obama makes it clear that he can connect to Muslims:
Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I’m a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.
A leader of a nation is seen not only as a representative of its peoples but also of its values and beliefs. When a leader makes bold statements openly and unashamedly, as Obama has been doing in his speeches in Muslim nations, people tend to take them at face value. The vast majority of the population of any country tends to believe what they hear, what they see.
And what they are seeing today is the leader of the “Great Satan” is not really Satan. Despite any skeptical attitudes towards any American attempts at outreach, Muslims in the Middle East will see this and other speeches by Obama as at least a new direction in American policy.
American forces continue to undertake immensely dangerous and extremely important missions in 2 volatile Muslim countries, Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans are preventing Pakistan from falling into the hands of the Taliban. The Middle East presents perhaps the most important American interest outside of the Western Hemishpere. Thus, it is more than essential that Muslims do not consider Americans to be their enemies. Obama is at least making the effort to change the impression of Americans that Muslims have in those parts of the world.
And, did Muslims listen to Obama. The NYT reports:
The streets leading into downtown were largely quiet and empty here on Thursday morning as President Obama landed in the Egyptian capital to deliver his address to the Muslim world.
…presumably, people were preparing to listen to his speech, as the Huffington Post reports:
Obama’s remarks were televised on all radio and television stations in Israel, and with Arabic voice-over translations by Arab satellite stations Al-Arabiya and Al-Jazeera, Egyptian TV and Al-Manar, an outlet for the militant group Hezbollah
Obama’s words was applauded numerous times, as he declared he wanted to re-energize relations with the Muslim world. Bravo, President Obama!
Understandably, conservative talking heads were frustrated by Obama’s eloquence and the fact that he hit the nail on the head. Rush Limbaugh called the speech “outragerous, absurd, embarassing.” Limbaugh thus spake:
Okay. I know we’re not supposed to criticize Obama’s speech here. I know it’s going way off the reservation here to do this. But, folks, that is outrageous. This is simply outrageous. It was absurd, in fact. Let’s see. Where do we start here? “It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra.” No. The origins of algebra trace back to the ancient Babylonians. They were not Muslims. Algebra was temporarily developed by the ancient Greeks and later the English. “Our magnetic compass, tools of navigation,” Islam gave us these? No. “Recent research suggests that the compass may have been discovered by Central Americans, but if they didn’t do it, the Chinese are then its discoverers. In either case, be it the Chinese or the Central Americans, the compass was discovered centuries before the advent of Islam.”
I am sorry, Rush, but you’re an idiot and the sources of your information are, to put it mildly, worse than Soviet propaganda. Did you know Algebra is an Arabic word? It is a derivation of “Al-Jabr.” Perhaps, I should refer you to, uh, Wikipedia maybe? Right here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_algebra#Islamic_algebra
While Muslims may not have invented Algebra. They surely credited with the codification, extensive use of, and even the standardization of Algebra. Get your facts right, Rush.
Others of Rush’s ilk are similarly rushing to demonize Obama and Muslims in an attempt to pander to their evangelical followers, by criticizing literally word in Obama’s speech. More conservative reactions are available here: http://www.allamericanblogger.com/7475/obamas-speech-in-cairo-6000-words-and-what-some-are-already-saying-updated-w-even-more-stuff-other-people-are-saying/
What struck me was Michelle Malkin, herself an immigrant, saying:
Despite all his supposedly frank talk, Obama insists on hiding behind the euphemism “violent extremism.” It’s not only the “t-word” — terrorism — that failed to pass from his lips. It’s the j-word — jihad, violent jihad — that Obama will not acknowledge. He clings to the myth that only a “tiny minority” of “extremists” subscribe to the deadly Koran-inspired mission to force infidels to submit. He refuses to acknowledge and confront the violent jihadi virus around the world and on American soil.
Malkin, you’re a Filipino. Might I remind you that during and after the Philippine-American War, actions of your compatriots against American civilians and troops would be classified today as terrorism. Enough said.
