And this is putting it lightly.
Posted on 04/19/2009 2:42:47 PM PDT by Scanian
Barack Obama does anything but conjure up the specter of a clash of civilizations. In his visit to Turkey two weeks ago the American president continued his efforts to engage the Muslim world, declaring in his speech to the Turkish parliament that "the United States is not at war with Islam," and professing America's "deep appreciation of the Islamic faith." Yet his message to the Islamic world is far more provocative for Islamic radicals than is properly appreciated by Western audiences hoping for reconciliation with Islam. Indeed, Obama's vision represents a departure from the West's own perspective on Islam in a sense that has so far escaped attention.
In his town hall meeting with students in Istanbul, Obama displayed his respect for Islam by reminding his audience that the meeting would have to be concluded before the approaching call for prayer. But it should not be assumed that it is gestures such as these, in accordance with a "politics of dignity," that will ultimately alter the dynamics that underlie the strength of Islamic radicalism. And the way Obama conducted himself in Turkey suggests that he is well aware of that.
After the Bush era, any American president would have been expected to feel the need to go out of his way to assuage Muslim feelings, and Obama, with his personal history, is exceptionally well equipped to perform the role of unifier of civilizations. His vision stands in enlightened contrast to the way conservatives in the West
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
A barf alert is called for here.
That's true.
But the reverse isn't.
FYBO
.
Read ‘The Obama File’ by our own FReeper, Beckwith.
Pay special attention to the sections, ‘Religion’ and ‘Islam’.
The United States Library of Congress has selected
TheObamaFile.com for inclusion in its historic collections
of Internet materials
http://www.theobamafile.com/LibraryOfCongress.html
.
“Obama’s tributes to the secularist revolutionary were not bows dictated by diplomatic etiquette to the founding father of a host country, but politically charged interventions in the ongoing debate about secularism and Islam. Indeed, his words were near-affronts to the belief held by Islamic conservatives and liberals - the alliance which dominates Turkish public discourse - that the introduction of secularist reforms was a traumatic event. “
The writer’s language is diplomatic, but the implication is that Obama has unintentionally stirred up a hornet’s nest. His condescending (but ignorant) “advice” wasn’t appreciated.
I hope they’re not still rioting in downtown Istanbul.
A muslim kisses islam’s a$$... I’m shocked!
LLS
America’s “deep appreciation of the Islamic faith.”
Um, no.
All Hail the “unifier of civilizations”!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.