Obama\'s Speech in Cairo University a Step in the Right Direction

In his address in Cairo University, president Obama tried to reconcile with the Muslim world. His speech seemed like there is a positive change in the new administration's attitude towards the issues of Islam and the Islamic world.

Mr. Obama has employed all his tools, whether knowledge, eloquence or culture, to reach the minds and hearts of his audience. He presented new ideas about the most critical issues of Muslims, which is a step in the right direction that we can build on.

The proper reaction is to respond positively and consciously:

We think that the proper reaction to these ideas is to respond positively and consciously with them. We should not just show admiration for them or doubt them. We must not consider them as part of the propaganda the US makes to improve its image or as a new conspiracy that we do not realize as if we have no trust in ourselves or our abilities. We also must not play the role of audience as if they are not our problems.

We mean by "responding positively and consciously" that to evaluate these ideas and see what is accepted and what is not and to pose additional ones. We think this positive and conscious respond will support the positive situation of the trend that Obama represents for it is well known that not all the Americans adopt the same views. Therefore, we need to back them against the new conservatives who have a negative attitude towards Islam.

Positive ideas:

There were some positive points in Obama's speech such as:

-Acknowledging the role of Islam in Europe's renaissance and enlightenment and that the relation between Islam and the US is that of mutual respect and cooperation not competition.

-Rejecting negative stereotypes about Islam.

-Confirming that America is not in war with Islam.

-Agreeing that progress can be achieved without abandoning one's faith or values.

-Maintaining security along with principles and values.

-Making sure that America does not want to impose its life style on other countries and that it acknowledges the right of peoples to live according to their own will.

-Affirming the withdrawal from Iraq.

-Showing the tendency to be firm with Israel concerning some partial aspects of negotiation with Palestinians.

-Expressing a positive stance about hijab and saying that it is not necessary for women to make the same choices as men. Rather they can perform what he called traditional roles, provided that it is their own choice.

-Promising to facilitate for Muslims performing their religious rituals as zakat.

Ideas reflect incomplete change:

The speech also contained ideas that need to be discussed with the American administration for development.

Some of which are:

-The president has stressed the illegitimacy of the Israeli settlements; however, he ignored the Judaization of Jerusalem.

-He admitted the sufferings of the Palestinian people but did not offer any urgent solution to end Gaza blockade or condemn Gaza holocaust as he did with the Jews' holocaust.

-He did not mention the Palestinian right of return although he adopted the two-state solution.

-He admitted that Hamas is an effective power; still he did not take any procedures to start dialogue with it.

-He stressed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons neglecting the Israeli armory.

-He expressed America's desire to solve the region's problems, which cause tensions around the world, without calling Israel to withdraw from the Syrian and Lebanese territories.

-He talked about the freedom of belief as a common value in Islam and the West mentioning the necessity of maintaining the religion diversity in the region as if the religion minorities, like Maronites in Lebanon and Christian Copts in Egypt,  are persecuted.

-He called for dialogue with the world of Islam but he excluded al Qaeda.

The moral logic behind Obama's speech cannot accept several points like:

The Jews' holocaust was executed by European hands so they must bear the responsibility. However, the situation is not as such. What happened was that the Jews occupied the Palestinian land to create a state for themselves, which means that Palestinians paid for others' fault.

To follow with Israel, who actually owns nuclear weapons, the same method it applies with Iran.

To blame Israel for its brutal conducts against Palestinians, which oppose the values and standards the humanity respects.

Will Obama succeed?

Now, the urgent question is: Can Obama's new attitude work? Will he succeed?

We think difficulties must be highlighted first then we can point out the elements of success.

Difficulties:

- Obama represents a new trend that will face internal objections.

- The Muslim world is not united under one leadership which will make reactions to Obama's ideas differ and may even clash.

Elements of success:

- Transferring this speech to deeds without delay.

- Accepting dialogue with Taliban and al Qaeda, whoever wants, based on complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, achieving mutual interests and acknowledging Afghanis' right to be ruled by Sharia.

- Positive response from all those who are concerned in the Muslim world with these ideas by discussion, support for what is correct besides initiatives that back cultural communication with the US.

- Objective tackling, which means a balance between over optimism and over doubt since both are wrong.

Now, the Muslim world is waiting for stances taken by Mr. Obama whether supporting Muslims in the US or in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan or the people kept in American prisons such as Sheikh Omar Abdelrahman to judge Mr. Obama. Will he be a man of actions or a man of words?

We hope the Muslim world give Mr. Obama the opportunity to act before judging him.

Finally, welcome president Obama. We are waiting for more fair stances.

Al Jama'a al Islamiyya of Egypt

Back to Statements