Obama reaches out to Muslim world

Started by Netto Azure June 4th, 2009 12:06 PM
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Netto Azure

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Obama reaches out in Cairo
International reaction to speech
Online community's reaction

President Barack Obama has said the "cycle of suspicion and discord" between the United States and the Muslim world must end.

In a keynote speech in Cairo, Mr Obama called for a "new beginning" in ties.

He admitted there had been "years of distrust" and said both sides needed to make a "sustained effort... to respect one another and seek common ground".

Mr Obama said the US bond with Israel was unbreakable but described the Palestinians' plight as "intolerable".

The president made a number of references to the Koran and called on all faiths to live together in peace.

He received a standing ovation at the end of his speech at Cairo University.

White House officials had said the speech was intended to start a process to "re-energise the dialogue with the Muslim world".

'Not so unique'

Mr Obama said: "I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect."

He said "violent extremists" had bred fear and that this "cycle of suspicion and discord must end".

Mr Obama accepted that "no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust" but urged both sides to "say openly the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors".

He cited the Koran as saying: "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth."

Mr Obama said Islam had "always been a part of America's story".

He added that much had been made of the fact an African-American named Barack Hussein Obama had become US president, but he insisted his personal story was "not so unique".

"The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims."

'Intolerable'

The president also said Muslim perceptions of the US must change.

"Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."

Mr Obama said America was not at war with Islam, but would confront violent extremists who threatened its security.

On the key issues of Iraq and Afghanistan, the president said the US sought no permanent bases in either country.

He said: "We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case."

On the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr Obama said the bond with Israel was "unbreakable".

He said: "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong."

But he also said the "situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable".

"Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's," Mr Obama said.
Isn't this quite interesting. We have finally someone sane enough to actually understand that the Middle East and the Islamic Faith are not all a bunch of crazy "terrorists?"
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The USA is actually already very Muslim-tolerant. We have one of the largest populations of Islamic followers on Earth. Obama doesn't need to address the Muslims, he needs to work on the extremists.

I've found most to be pretty normal, reasonable people. I don't agree with their religious views, but that doesn't mean I hate them.
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If you want to know why people think it... constant threats by islamic extremist terrorists + the hijacking of a plane/tipping over the Twin Towers = bad impression, you know?
That will do it, it's pathetic how a handful of people can ruin a whole group's (in this case massive religion) reputation, and think they accomplished something and benefitted others.
Their actions benefited nobody.

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He said: "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong."
Funny, I remember the US's response to 9/11 being an invasion of Iraq; then it has the nerve to drag every NATO country in with it.
"Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."
Since their formation, people that call themselves Americans have only ever been self-interested, at least through every example I've seen.


If the US was not out to get involved with every current international affair since WWII and attempt to spread its democratic influence wherever it treads, it wouldn't have so many haters.
Though, it's good to see someone finally trying to make amends.

Captain Fabio

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Who said we are terrorist anyway? -.-
I've found most to be pretty normal, reasonable people. I don't agree with their religious views, but that doesn't mean I hate them.
Just because you guys are human beings and respect others, doesn't mean that the others don't. I know of a hell of a lot of resist people just in my area and it is disgusting in my opinion.

But, that is all it will be, my opinion.
We can't change anyone's views, but with this speak, it is just reminding that "not so nice" side of the people.

s0nido

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Oh, thank goodness for that. I just want someone to help clear up all these misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. We're not terrorists, and you would be sure of that if you tried reading the Qur'an a bit more rather than taking verses here and there. I hate it when people take one verse and say that Islam is based on it. I remember that there was a discussion here about Islam and someone quoted the Qur'an. There was a verse on Jihad, giving the Muslims to fight back against a nation that was attacking them. It was misinterpreted as permission to fight against non-Muslims by some members of the discussion and I had to point out that the verse before it specified who the Muslims had to attack.
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That will do it, it's pathetic how a handful of people can ruin a whole group's (in this case massive religion) reputation, and think they accomplished something and benefitted others.
Their actions benefited nobody.
Yes, that's the sad part of how a small number of individual can affect a large group of them, most of the times in a bad way.

Their actions, of course, did not benefit anybody.
I know enough about Islam itself as I speak of this matter - and the thing is that those extremists and terrorists believe that the way they chose is the right way.
Those people never went deep enough into Islam itself, in actual...

If the US was not out to get involved with every current international affair since WWII and attempt to spread its democratic influence wherever it treads, it wouldn't have so many haters.
Though, it's good to see someone finally trying to make amends.
And that bolded part is all that matters...

Till now, I like Obama's presentations of things, and his personal viewpoints. He can make a difference, and really weaken racism over the whole world.

I just imagine and wait for that day when every people would hear out to another and when nobody would dislike another based on their appearance and race.

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Alright,

Funny, I remember the US's response to 9/11 being an invasion of Iraq; then it has the nerve to drag every NATO country in with it.
Funny, I remember THAT whole fiasco being started under a different admininstration.

Since their formation, people that call themselves Americans have only ever been self-interested, at least through every example I've seen.
So the British/Spanish/Dutch/French came here to climb trees, and the world-wide humanitarian aid was to advertise Coca-Cola, right?


C'mon people, talk to me. I don't bite... not hard, anyway...
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I thought the speech, though somewhat inspiring and optimistic, was naive and full of propaganda and untruthfulness.

That will do it, it's pathetic how a handful of people can ruin a whole group's (in this case massive religion) reputation, and think they accomplished something and benefitted others.
Their actions benefited nobody.
And where are all the moderate Muslims who are publicly condemning their actions? There has been no push from Islam to bring out these terrorists hiding within their communities.
Funny, I remember the US's response to 9/11 being an invasion of Iraq; then it has the nerve to drag every NATO country in with it.

Since their formation, people that call themselves Americans have only ever been self-interested, at least through every example I've seen.


If the US was not out to get involved with every current international affair since WWII and attempt to spread its democratic influence wherever it treads, it wouldn't have so many haters.
Though, it's good to see someone finally trying to make amends.
Of course they're self-interested - they have to consider the security and success of their own country first (and they have good reason to).

So you're saying that it's America's fault that so much of the Islamic world hates them?
Oh, thank goodness for that. I just want someone to help clear up all these misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. We're not terrorists, and you would be sure of that if you tried reading the Qur'an a bit more rather than taking verses here and there. I hate it when people take one verse and say that Islam is based on it. I remember that there was a discussion here about Islam and someone quoted the Qur'an. There was a verse on Jihad, giving the Muslims to fight back against a nation that was attacking them. It was misinterpreted as permission to fight against non-Muslims by some members of the discussion and I had to point out that the verse before it specified who the Muslims had to attack.
No, but your scriptures and holy texts allow for violence to be perpetrated against immoral infidels, and defines justice and innocence in different ways to the West.

The verse I quoted, the Verse of the Sword, overrides all other verses in the Qur'an that precede it (chronologically).

Furthermore, Muslims are obligated to perform Jihad (though if someone is already doing it then they don't have to), and to fight until the entire world is under Sharia law. Just to be clear however, I'm only talking about the doctrine - people are people, and they'll act however they want to act. But Islam is my issue here.

I would honestly like to sit in your school and see what they teach you about your religion, cause it seems they even lie to you. You would be considered an apostate.
Yes, that's the sad part of how a small number of individual can affect a large group of them, most of the times in a bad way.

Their actions, of course, did not benefit anybody.
I know enough about Islam itself as I speak of this matter - and the thing is that those extremists and terrorists believe that the way they chose is the right way.
Those people never went deep enough into Islam itself, in actual...



And that bolded part is all that matters...

Till now, I like Obama's presentations of things, and his personal viewpoints. He can make a difference, and really weaken racism over the whole world.

I just imagine and wait for that day when every people would hear out to another and when nobody would dislike another based on their appearance and race.
Have you really studied it enough? 1400 years of Islam says that destroying the West is alright.

Racism? Islam isn't a race.

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The verse I quoted, the Verse of the Sword, overrides all other verses in the Qur'an that precede it (chronologically).

Furthermore, Muslims are obligated to perform Jihad (though if someone is already doing it then they don't have to), and to fight until the entire world is under Sharia law. Just to be clear however, I'm only talking about the doctrine - people are people, and they'll act however they want to act. But Islam is my issue here.

I would honestly like to sit in your school and see what they teach you about your religion, cause it seems they even lie to you. You would be considered an apostate.

Have you really studied it enough? 1400 years of Islam says that destroying the West is alright.
Frankly, you could quote-mine any religious text (Torah, Bible, etc.,) and make it seem violent and terrible. For example, just read Leviticus, Chapter 20 in the Bible. Yeah. I would bet you that most Christians do not take that literally.

And by the way, the West has not existed for 1400 years. ;)

Anyway, I thought the President gave a great speech. I doubt it will have any immediate effects, but it should certainly help America to appeal to more people in the Middle East.

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Frankly, you could quote-mine any religious text (Torah, Bible, etc.,) and make it seem violent and terrible. For example, just read Leviticus, Chapter 20 in the Bible. Yeah. I would bet you that most Christians do not take that literally.

And by the way, the West has not existed for 1400 years. ;)

Anyway, I thought the President gave a great speech. I doubt it will have any immediate effects, but it should certainly help America to appeal to more people in the Middle East.
Well in the Torah and the Christian Old Testament, there was violence, yes. But those only remain in that context; only for those people at that time to be used against their enemies back then. Islam is not like that.

Islam has remained unchanged for 1400 years. What I meant was that because Islam hasn't changed, it approves of the destruction of the West.

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And where are all the moderate Muslims who are publicly condemning their actions?
In their homes, cursing the US out for basically hanging a 'guilty' sign on them because of their religion, or maybe they don't exist...


*Shrugs* I honestly haven't a clue...

In my town, we have a mosque and a synagogue within a half of a mile of each other, and you know what? The Jews and the Muslims that go there simply do not fight the believers of the other religion, yet across the ocean, the Jews and Muslims can't wait to kill each other...

Must be the sand...


C'mon people, talk to me. I don't bite... not hard, anyway...

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We can be all terrorist if we want to, not all Muslims are like that.

Glad Obama is doing his job, although some Muslims frowned about his statement.

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I loved the speech which he had included about Islam from the holy verses of Qura'n hmm i just heard that some of the Americans went protest him as America is very tolerant of Muslim world and as far as i know that Obama's father is a Muslim because his father has a Muslim middle name Barack Hussein Obama i dunt really hav idea though but some people believe and he was also born in a Muslim family check out Wikipedia for more.
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we were never terrorrists and we will never be i dont know why anyone would ever think of us as
Because of the western media, that's why.
The big wigs never saw you as terrorists, they just needed a scapegoat so that they could invade Iraq.

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And where are all the moderate Muslims who are publicly condemning their actions? There has been no push from Islam to bring out these terrorists hiding within their communities.
Where was the push from Christian churches in Kansas to bring out people like that man, Scott Roeder, who shot George Tiller? Western communities also have their share of extremists who are ignored or, worse, encouraged to commit acts of hatred based on their religious convinctions.

I loved the speech which he had included about Islam from the holy verses of Qura'n hmm i just heard that some of the Americans went protest him as America is very tolerant of Muslim world and as far as i know that Obama's father is a Muslim because his father has a Muslim middle name Barack Hussein Obama i dunt really hav idea though but some people believe and he was also born in a Muslim family check out Wikipedia for more.
Don't trust everything you read on Wikipedia.
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In their homes, cursing the US out for basically hanging a 'guilty' sign on them because of their religion, or maybe they don't exist...


*Shrugs* I honestly haven't a clue...

In my town, we have a mosque and a synagogue within a half of a mile of each other, and you know what? The Jews and the Muslims that go there simply do not fight the believers of the other religion, yet across the ocean, the Jews and Muslims can't wait to kill each other...

Must be the sand...
That's why we don't judge the people - we judge the religion itself. "Don't judge Muslims but the Islam you know, and don't judge Islam by the Muslims you know."

Jews aren't encouraged to wage war and Muslims aren't stupid enough to start trouble if there isn't enough of them.
Where was the push from Christian churches in Kansas to bring out people like that man, Scott Roeder, who shot George Tiller? Western communities also have their share of extremists who are ignored or, worse, encouraged to commit acts of hatred based on their religious convinctions.
Irrelevant. He was caught after 3 hours. Yes, but every other religion (and Western society itself, as evident through it's laws) does not encourage acts of violence. That's people causing trouble, not the society, doctrines or the beliefs of the people. Furthermore, the amount of violence caused by Westerners pales in comparison to violent acts done in the name of Islam.

Anyway, we're swinging way off topic, so here's something interesting I've found.

Obama quoted a Qur'an verse about waging war to argue for peace and shared interests
Foes of the global jihad are constantly accused of quoting the Qur'an "out of context," but when Barack Obama actually did so in Cairo yesterday, no one seems to have minded.
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I have noticed that about Obama... They don't take his flaws seriously. Everyone (by which I mean the [mainly media-influenced] majority) had an issue with Bush, but the TVs appear to be on the big O's side.

Amachi, I agree with you on weighing Islam independent of the people who practice it. But that comment:

"...Muslims aren't stupid enough to start trouble if there isn't enough of them."

What exactly do you mean by that?
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I have noticed that about Obama... They don't take his flaws seriously. Everyone (by which I mean the [mainly media-influenced] majority) had an issue with Bush, but the TVs appear to be on the big O's side.
Isn't it wonderful how the media distorts and bends the images of powerful people for its own agenda? =P

Well, I did not read the whole speech, but as with all Obama speeches, I'm sure it full of dressed-up words and false promises. Regardless, I do not think that the majority of Americans believe that Islam = Terrorism. Even after 9/11, while tensions may have been raised, people were smart enough to realize that Islam itself wasn't the problem, but a small group of extremists. Therefore, Obama's wish to create a new "relationship" between Muslims and Americans is rather pointless in my opinion. It's mostly so he can keep a favorable image.