Posted on 04/08/2009 6:45:31 PM PDT by Steelfish
Obama wins praise from many Muslims But some remain skeptical, say they're awaiting concrete action
CAIRO - The Middle East is finding, to its amazement, that it may actually like America's new leader. Barack Obama has impressed many Arabs and Muslims with promises to open a new page after years of distrust during his first presidential venture to the Islamic world this week.
It's a startling change for a region where they chucked shoes at his predecessor George W. Bush and still want to burn Bush in effigy even after he's out of office.
But Obama's charm has hiked expectations he will change American policies that have angered many Arabs and Muslims, and some remain skeptical. Top on nearly everyone's list: They want Washington to press for the creation of a Palestinian state to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict — something Obama has promised to do.
"Everyone is optimistic about this man," Nasser Abu Kwaik, a barber in the West Bank town of al-Beireh, said Wednesday. "He is different, and he could be a friend to the Muslim world."
'Like a fresh breeze' Many in Muslim countries echoed the words of one Indonesian woman, "I believe him."
"For the Islamic world," Obama's comments "are like a fresh breeze," said Ikana Mardiastuti, who works at a Jakarta research institute.
Obama's visit to Turkey this week was full of gestures calculated at showing he is a friend to Muslims, all aired live on Arab satellite TV networks like Al-Jazeera. The top headliner was his sound bite that the U.S will never be "at war with Islam." In a speech to Turkey's parliament, he mentioned the Muslims in his own family, a topic he avoided back home in his presidential campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
What an unrivaled panderer!
No Shi’ite, Sherlock!
And why shouldn’t they love him? He bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia. He may deny it all he wants but the world has the picture. Submission, man, submission!
This is probably why so many Americans can’t stand him.
Such as the US policy that prevents Islam from taking over the world.
Yeah, I'm sure he is intent on changing that one.
You know, after this he’s really going to have to reach out to Christians.
Fidel Castro, Muammar Quadafi, and a few Muslims hope B.Hussein succeeds.
Americans hope he fails!
He won’t reach out to Christians unless they start blowing up things.
Yeah, but those muzzies will smile in your face and pat you on the back with one hand, and all the while there’s a knife in the other hand.
They’ll cut his throat (figuratively) when they get a chance.
Bush bumbled into it. The policy that works is to bash a big dent somewhere in the Islamic kingdoms, doesn’t matter where, if you get attacked. The Slammies will conclude that Allah is mad at them to let that happen.
Wait and see what muslims say when he kisses the ring of the Pope. If he ever does.
What a coward.
Reach out to Christians with a swinging fist to their nose, is all he apparently can do.
And Catholics (dunno the breakdown in other churches) lap it up. 53%.
No, he isn’t that cosmopolitan. He’s Rather biased.
Unfortunately, not enough think that way yet!!!!!!
Everyone with anti-American sentiments, that's for sure. They're optimistic about the Hussein admin producing America's downfall.
When I look at the 'fruit' of Islam...the above tells me all I need to know.
AP Report...enough said.
I never understood how the antichrist could be raised up to be adored and lead the entire world. I’m not saying I think 0bama is or is not the antichrist, only saying that I now see how corrupt/criminal politicians, a dumbed-down populace and a complicit global media can make it happen.
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