Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, ended his prayer sermon in tears on Friday, invoking the name of a disappeared Shiite prophet to suggest that his government was besieged by forces of evil out to destroy a legitimate Islamic government.
The opposition leader, Mir Hussein Moussavi, in criticizing the government, demanded the kind of justice promised by the Koran and exhorted his followers to take to their rooftops at night to cry out, “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great.”
It’s extremely funny and also sad that the news media in America and in general Americans are supporting the Iranian protestors and being pro-Mousavi. Even the conseratives are on the side of the protestors. What they all fail to realize is that Mousavi and the rest of the protesters do not like the American Government (especially it’s foriegn policy) the same way Ahmadinejad does. They also don’t understand that both sides still want to follow Islam and want to establish their version of the “Islamic State”.
Basically America doesn’t like Ahmadinejad so they’ll support anyone who doesn’t like him. They did this in the past with allying themselves with the Mujahideen in Afghanistan and that backfired. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people think Obama should go in to Iran and help them out. So far Obama hasn’t said much, which is good. I hope he understands that America needs to stay quiet and don’t stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.
The Facebook and Twitter support is nice but I really wonder if all those young Americans know what they are supporting when they share or “tweet” it.
It is an extraordinary and momentous event to call you president. Your father was of the Luo clan and, as you know, it would be difficult for a Luo to be elected president in Kenya. In our country, while tribe is not an issue, color often is, but you have succeeded in overcoming both clan and complexion, and in doing so inspired millions of people around the world.
Much has been written about Muslim responses to Obama’s Cairo speech and how it has resonated across the Muslim world. Many have commented on the new President’s skillful handling of the political issues that have so deeply affected US-Muslim relations. However, an underappreciated but equally important dimension of his speech involves its widespread religious appeal. As the Gallup world poll of some 35 Muslim countries has documented, vast majorities of Muslims see religion as an important component in their lives and a critical element in the future progress of their societies. Muslims who are not particularly religiously observant nevertheless identify with their Islamic heritage. Therefore, although the majority of those polled said they admired many things about the West, and in particular about America (its technology, work ethic, freedoms, democracy), Muslims’ major grievance against the West is what they identify as the denigration of Islam and Muslims, as well as the extent to which Arabs and Muslims are seen by the West as inferior and not of equal value.
President Obama made some very important statements in his historic speech in Cairo earlier today. Many Muslims are excited, enthused by the positive tone and attitude. Indeed, Obama’s gestures were significant; his choice of symbols and issues, careful; and his message, hopeful.
As Muslims, we shouldn’t be armchair pundits, merely wondering whether Obama will follow is great words with real actions. Rather, we have to look at ourselves. We have to consider how we can positively engage; how we can get serious about learning and living the way of our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace); how we can get out of our shells and be people who spread the good not just in our communities but for humanity.
There is so much to do. We should stop asking what Obama will do for us; roll up our sleeves; trust in Allah; and do what we must, to make a change.
يلقي الرئيس أوباما خطابا في القاهرة، عاصمة جمهورية مصر العربية، يوضح فيه التزامه الشخصي بالعمل مع العالم الإسلامي على أساس المصالح المشتركة والاحترام المتبادل، كما يناقش الرئيس في خطابه الطريق الذي تستطيع من خلاله الولايات المتحدة والمجتمعات الإسلامية في مختلف أرجاء العالم سد الفجوة في بعض الأمور التي جرى خلاف بشأنها. 4 يونيو 2009
(ملكية عامة)
I express my gratitude and my best respect for the contribution of the United States of America to our Uighur community. At the same time, I express my gratitude for your right and prompt decision to close the jail of Guantánamo Bay. I hope you will forgive my English, which I have tried to learn.
