Free Republic

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will not be among 3,000 people to attend U.S. President Barack Obama’s historic speech shortly after noon Thursday, a possible bad omen for the American leader trying to win respect in the Muslim world. The official reason for his absence is the death of his 12-year-old grandson, but the child died in mid-May after health complications. Mubarak’s eldest son Jamal will stand in for his father, according to the independent Egyptian daily al-Masry al-Youm. Jamal is viewed as the future heir to take over as president of Egypt.

The Issues we have with the Arab-Muslim world - What Obama won't mention   Teaching that non-Muslims are non humans, such as Christians are "pigs" and Jews are "apes".   Sharia law (implementation) horrors, including oppression of women.   Honor killings epidemic.   Playing "victim" while being the aggressor, such as the Arab "Palestinians", Taliban, etc.   Bigoted Islamism: Persecution, oppression of and apartheid against all non Muslims in the Islamic world (including in S. Arabia, Palestinian Hamas, etc.).   Racist Arabism: Persecution, oppression of and apartheid against all non-Arabs in the Arab world, especially of native Egyptians (Nubians), Kurds,...

Respect is a two-way street. Recent polls suggest that about half of Americans hold negative views of Islam, and this is not merely blind bigotry. If they want respect, Muslim states must seek active ways to improve relations with the United States.

Politicians across the political spectrum reacted with both praise and condemnation to the speech delivered by US President Barack Obama, in which the American leader reached out to the Muslim world and spelled out the challenges he aims to tackle in the Middle East. Obama addresses the Muslim world in a speech from Cairo University, Thursday. Photo: AP "Obama ignored the fact that the Palestinians have not abandoned terror," Habayit Hayehudi chairman Daniel Herschkowitz said during a tour of settlements south of Hebron. "The government of Israel is not America's lackey. The relations with the Americans are based on friendship...