GULF NEWS.COM: WE WILL RESPECT EACH OTHER

In the wake of Obama’s trip to the Middle East, journalists from the region are weighing in on what he said and did–and what that means for the future of U.S.-Muslim relations.  Francis Matthew, an editor for GulfNews.com, stated that Obama made it clear that America needs better understanding and cooperation with the Muslim world for its own sake.  He quoted Obama as saying in Turkey:

“We seek broader engagement based on mutual interest and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, we will bridge misunderstandings, and we will seek common ground. We will be respectful, even when we do not agree.”

Matthew pointed out that Obama did not try to reach out to ‘moderate Islam’, which is a Western phrase trying to distinguish between the very small and violent radical fringe and the mainstream of Islam.  He also did not dodge the differences between Christianity and Islam, and he recognised that “we will not agree”. Matthew believes this is at the heart of more practical steps to promote understanding between faiths. The difficulty is that when people of different faiths meet, by definition they know that people of other faiths are wrong, according to Matthew. 

By refusing to treat Islam as a problem, and by treating it with respect, Obama has opened the possibility that a whole range of religious and social dialogue will find powerful political backing.

However, he did this without backing down on his long-held objective of “denying Al Qaida a safe haven in Pakistan or Afghanistan. The world has come too far to let this region backslide, and to let Al Qaida terrorists plot further attacks.”

He was uncompromising on that struggle, with which he has the goodwill of the Muslim world.

The people from the Middle East who commented on this article online generally agreed with Matthew:

President Obama seems to be honest in his approach to the [M]uslim world. The whole [M]uslim world should give him a chance to convert his words to action. Particularly Iran should be careful dealing with Obama as he is going soft on Iranians after 30 years of aggressive policies of past Presidents. Again the whole Muslim world should think for the betterment of their people who already suffered under bad actions of the previous American Government. After all this great opportunity to pick up and act wisely towards Obama offer that seems to be based on honesty mutual respect and justice.
Syed Qurban Hussain
Dubai,UAE

Excellent. Nothing can be added. Well done, Francis.
Ali
Dubai,UAE

 Question to the Blogosphere:  Do you agree with this author and Obama that there will always be disagreements between members of different religions?  Do you think Obama’s trip to the Middle East was stylish and substantive, or just stylish?  What do you think the significance of this trip will be for the history books?  Do you think the trip has changed perceptions of the U.S. in the Muslim world?  Is it possible to have lasting peace through cooperation with the Muslim world, or do we have to stay at war with terrorists to ensure American security?  How has our role as hegemon changed in the last 3 months since Obama entered the White House?  How does the opinion of Obama vary across the Middle East?