This blog is not intended to be political but politics have certainly captured my attention lately. Nor did I think I’d be talking about Obama as much as I am but you cannot ignore what he’s saying and doing. So when President Obama addresses the world from the University of Cairo, people take notice, especially a first-generation Egyptian born in the States whose parents graduated from the university. I am proud of my Egyptian heritage, extremely grateful that my parents immigrated here, and I love the fact that I’m in NJ (we tell everyone that it sucks here and jack up the housing prices to keep the southerners out ;-) but truth be told, it’s a great part of the country to live in).
America has an image problem. It’s almost as bad as the Western Church’s. Some had the idea that by combining the two, we could help the world and whether the world was truly helped or not is another discussion; many throughout the world have a terrible perception of America. As mentioned elsewhere on this blog, my friends’ blogs, through countless great theological works of theology and most importantly, the New Testament, we as Christians are called to serve a different Kingdom first. That said, I believe the problems in and out of American are of great importance.
It’s in this light that Obama’s speech is extremely important. Taking on topics such as Islam, fanaticism, terrorism, Israel, Palestine, and others is a bold task when you are perceived as the representative of a nation of hateful manipulators and greedy instigators of these topics. While I have profound differences with that perception, I do understand how and why many believe it to be.
He proclaimed that he was a Christian, spoke of his Muslim father and quoted various holy books. From the Koran he said, “Whoever kills an innocent person kills all mankind. Whoever saves a person saves all mankind.” He spoke against hate and terrorism. He promoted safety for all, American and those throughout the Middle East. He spoke about the Israeli and Palestinian conflict. He called for nuclear disarmament, spoke on the greatness and limits of democracy, women’s rights and all basic human rights, including religious freedom. Everyone was called out for we are all part of the problem and responsibility calls us all to resolve and peace.
To my conservative brother and sisters who are convinced that he played to the Muslim crowd, you must not have heard the speech. Please listen to it first (you can watch it here or read the full transcript here). Had George W gave it (and he could have), I suspect that it would have been praised by conservatives. I’m sure W has said similar things, but he said so many other things that I doubt many heard it and frankly he wasn’t eloquent enough to remember. Still, there’s a probably a posting by National Review or Human Events or somewhere outlining the similarities that W had said with today’s speech. To me, that discussion is a waste of time and I only mention it to head it off. If we as Christians truly believe that we are of a greater Kingdom, one concerned with the other, one that loves, one that preaches Christ, then I’m not sure how we cannot champion the words of today.
But as we all know, you can say all the right things but the key is in the follow up. My hope is that Obama can put these noble words into action in the capacity afforded to him. My hope is also that the Muslim world will do the same. And this goes the same for the Christian world, the non-Christian, you and me. I say it again -everyone has been called out. We are all part of the problem, may we also be a part of the solution – for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
For more reading, here are some worthy links:
Arab Students Respond to Obama
Commentary: Amen, Mr. President – Editor’s Note: Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer, founder of TheMuslimGuy.com, and contributing editor for Islamica magazine in Washington.
Obama Calls for Fresh Start With Muslims
Video reaction – Muslims Wants Deeds, Not Just Words from Obama
Drawing on Islam, Speech in Cairo Electrifies Many In Arab Mideast
Muslims Seem Won Over by President; U.S. Adversaries Unmoved
Here’s a link to a Wall Street Journal article making some of those comparisons between Obama’s speech and Bush’s stance (hence the title, “Barack Hussein Bush”). http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124416109792287285.html
(By the way, I agree that if Bush gave the speech, and agree with you and the WSJ that he could’ve, conservatives would have applauded. But, at the same time, I think Obama’s praise from NY Times, et.al. would’ve been replaced with Bush’s condemnation. Even so, your point rings true.)