Muslims want tangible change on Mideast from Obama

Monday 01st June, 07:05 AM JST

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SuperLib at 01:49 PM JST - 1st June

While I agree that the US can do a lot to change our image in the Middle East, it would be nice to hear the same from people there in saying that they could do a lot more to repair their relationship with the US. It's a two way street, but since Obama has taken office their attitude seems to be "Let's wait and see what Obama will do for us."

Then again I've been getting reports only through the mainstream media so it's not like I know everything about the situation. Maybe they are saying that there are changes they need to make as well.
Muchakucha at 02:16 PM JST - 1st June

SuperLib: if the Muslims in Cairo had admitted that they needed to change in any way whatsoever, the mainly Islamic-apologist mainstream media would've jumped on it and proclaimed it from the rooftops.
HonestDictator at 02:55 PM JST - 1st June

Sorry, they lost me at the Respect for Islam opening. Agreed about the "Respect has to be earned" not just given because they think their belief system is above all else.
timorborder at 03:33 PM JST - 1st June

I see one topic that is not on the agenda is the opening up of Islamic societies, specifically, support of true democracies in Islamic countries throughout the Middle East. Giving a politic voice both to average men and women. Then again, rasing such issues would upset US allies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan (the list goes on and on).

Also to Muslims (and especially those in the Middle East), I would say that before there is any moving forward with any of these issues, support of extremist gits like OBL has to stop.
WilliB at 07:01 PM JST - 1st June

timorborder:

" specifically, support of true democracies in Islamic countries throughout the Middle East. "

A true democracy in an islamic country is a contradiction in terms, since islam does not accept democracy. How could you accept that man makes law for man, when god has already given His perfect law (the Sharia)? For a pious muslim, democracy is blasphemy.

That is why islamic countries are either authoritarian (where the rulers keep a lid on the mullahs), or theocracies (where the mullahs rule).

A true islamic democracy is an infidel pipe dream.
ca1ic0cat at 09:04 PM JST - 1st June

Respect for Islam? There is very little to respect in a religion that abuses the rights of over half the people living under it's sway. The US, Japan and Europe have to kick the oil addiction by finding new sources of energy. Then we can ditch the "allies" such as Saudi Arabia, who are really enemies of everything that a modern democracy stands for.
polarmalik at 09:20 PM JST - 1st June

There is only one and one way only to a permanent peace in the Middle East and subsequently the rest of the Moslem world. An all New State of Palestine should be established, consisting of Palestine, Israel and Jordan. The new state of Palestine should adopt the Parliament system whereas all parties concerned, Israel, Palestine, Jordan should have equal number of legislator, the Speaker can be Jordanian, Deputy Speaker an Israel. All citizens having equal voting rights - Palestine should be a constitutional monarchy with His Majesty King Abdullah as the King. the Prime Minister an Israeli and Deputy Prime Minister a Palestinian. Similarly all other ministries and government post be represented equally and justly - The Mufti of Palestine, The Grand Rabbi of Israel and the head of the Christian church should all work towards making Palestine a great and wonderful country.
sharky1 at 09:31 PM JST - 1st June

How about some tangible changes from the muslims??? Once they learn how to be peaceful, tolerant, law-abiding, and stop trying to kill anyone who believes or acts differently than they so, then we can see some real progress in the middle east.
usaexpat at 10:45 PM JST - 1st June

The line about muslims in Europe fighting for girls to wear head scarves in school is especially telling of the core problem. Muslims refuse to assimilate which is fine if they stay in their own countries. There isn't a thing Obama can do to make life better for muslims as it's the inflexibility of their religeon that causes problems in the first place
WilliB at 01:06 AM JST - 2nd June

polarmalik:

" There is only one and one way only to a permanent peace in the Middle East and subsequently the rest of the Moslem world. An all New State of Palestine should be established, consisting of Palestine, Israel and Jordan. "

Oh really. And can you tell us why a muslim terrorist in Southern Thailand who is on his way to blow up a Buddhist temple would stop in his tracks when this "solution" of yours happens? Or a Sunni/Shiite terrorist in Iraq, on his way to blow up a mosque of the other party? Or a muslim terrorist in Kashmir? In the Southern Philippines (Mindanao)? In Nigeria? In China (Uiguir region)? Or in Madrid, London, or Amsterdam for that matter?

The very fact that you have bought into the notion that Israel is the problem, even for people who couldn´t locate Israel on a map, should demonstrate to you the global nature of the islamic jihad.
ca1ic0cat at 03:25 AM JST - 2nd June

At least polarmalik is thinking out of the box. Although Willi has a valid point too. But if peace in the middle east is the goal how about putting a country together as polar suggests (toss in the Golan Heights) but have two governments, one Jewish and the other Muslim. Your religion determines which court system, etc. you are bound by. If you commit a crime against a citizen of the other religion you are dealt with by that religion's courts. Defense is mutual but guaranteed by the Chinese. The Chinese can run the police for a generation, they don't have any vested interests. The right of return would be given to one family member of Palistinians displaced by the wars. The rest would be offered full citizenship in various countries. East Jerusalem is the capital of the Palistinians, West Jerusalem of the Jews. The Temple Mount area is shared. Each religiion (including the Christians) are guaranteed access to their shrines and, with a few exceptions, everybody can go to any shrine.

Everybody shares the land, generally ignores the other religion, gets equal rights (and taxes) and tries to get on as best they can.

Oh, keep the Christians out of it. Two's company, three is an endless debate.

How does that work?
elbudamexicano at 05:30 AM JST - 2nd June

“It’s so exciting to have a black man run the entire world,” said Awni Shatarat, 45, a clothing store owner in the Palestinian refugee camp of Baqaa in Jordan. Wow! This refugee in Jordan forgot to add, that he was also excited because Obama (Hussein) has a Muslim name? Had a Muslim Kenyan father? Since when is Obama the leader of the entire world? Let people in Cuba etc..hear this guy and they will only laugh and/or cry again from laughing too hard, the ENTIRE WORLD?? Keep on dreaming, even that idiot George Bush did not go this far.
buddha4brains at 07:20 AM JST - 2nd June

I always thought respect was earned, not demanded!

Well that's a two-way street. After invading Iraq on false pretences (even Cheney has given up linking Iraq with 9-11), the humiliations at Abu Garaib, the US has little credibility with the Muslim world.

Anyway, it is a mute point since American foreign policy is not in the respect earning business.
dragonczar at 04:05 PM JST - 2nd June

If mr.Obama goto Tehran and apologies for US support of the imperial-era,the Shah's tyranny for four decades that lead to much miserables and tragedies over iranians and goto workshipping Komeini's grave for forgivrness!That maybe easing the fury from iranians!
bonym at 05:02 PM JST - 2nd June

"Respect for Islam"

Read, "Infidels stay out of the hjoly land" !

Fair enough, but only if Islam stays put... in the holy land.