By TwoCircles.net Team,
Muslims in India including religious leaders, journalists, intellectuals, and social activists have on an average responded positively to US President Barack Obama’s Cairo speech to the Muslim World. They hope this will help in bringing peace in the world. Many however, are not happy as he did not regret the killings of millions of people in Iraq and Afghanistan in the US-led war on terror. TwoCircles.net reporters: Mumtaz in New Delhi, Abdul Hameed in Mumbai, Najiya O. in Kochi and Mudassir Rizwan in Patna talked to Muslims to get their views on Obama’s historic speech.
New Delhi
Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Asst. General Secretary, Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind:
The tone and language of the speech of American President Barack Obama and his stress on certain issues are very different from that of his predecessors. His views on various issues have given more hope to people. His support of statehood of Palestine, his promise to withdraw American forces from Iraq by 2012, his announcement that America is ready for unconditional talks with Iran and his promise for education of Muslim students in America – all these things have raised much hope in people.
But it is to be seen how he and his country are going to actualize his statement and how the Muslim World will take them.
Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, President, All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat:
It’s a good beginning. It’s a marked departure from the policies of former President George W Bush. Though we have some reservations about what he said or what he did not say, still it’s a very good beginning and we would like to see what action follows this nice speech delivered in Cairo which is in a way a central place of Islam.
Some positive points in his speech: he has said there is no war between America and Islam, which is a very good thing. This is going to give a message to certain elements in the American society which has used Bush’s ‘crusade’ to put pressure on Muslims. He has talked about withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. He has also promised that American troops will leave Afghanistan as soon as there is peace.
But I am not very much pleased that he did not say even a word for the victims of America’s war on terror (over a million people killed in Iraq, over 5 million made refugees there). Similar devastations have taken place in Afghanistan. He should have said something on that also. Likewise he did not talk about the uncalled for Israeli aggression over Gaza.
Dr Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, Member, Central Advisory Council, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind
It was a clear departure from Mr Bush’s position that whoever is supporting us is with us, otherwise they are with our enemies. It is a good message to the Islamic World. But simultaneously he has tried to do a balancing act. He has defended American position when it comes to Afghanistan. He said America was forced to go to Afghanistan, and that is justification of Bush’s act.
On Palestine issue, though he has supported statehood of Palestine but has not made clear how it is going to be a reality and what role America is going to play for the same.
On nuclear race he has taken a good position. He said he supports nuclear disarmament, and wants to see a world free of nuclear arms.
Navaid Hamid, Secretary, South Asian Council for Minorities:
Fascinating would be right compliment. Fascinating in terms of his clear perception for perusing and safeguarding traditional American interest and opening a window of opportunity and hope for committing to share America's emerging avenues of co-operation with Muslims of the world. His clear message to Muslim was Americans’ non-negotiable relations with Israel with assurance of a separate state for Palestine.
The second important message he has conveyed is non-negotiable stand of American led powers on Iranians nuclear issue. In one line he created bottom line for American stand as far as Israel and Iranian nuclear issue is concerned.
If he really has priorities for democratisation of Isalmic societies, Muslims need to understand whether American establishment has made up its mind for emergence of forces against American allies in Egypt, Gulf, and in Central Asia.
It seems as he was addressing the tyrants of the Muslim countries when he spoke about democratisation of societies, empowerment of women, rights of minorities. No Muslim can individually do anything for all these three issues until rulers of the Muslim nations allow their participation, which seems to be near to impossible in near future.
Shaghil Bilali, journalist (Mail Today):
I think this is a very positive speech by an American president after a long time. He spoke wholeheartedly about the solution of isolation between the US and Islam. He also went on to praising Muslims’ inventions and their contribution to the world civilization.
Obama said, “It was Islam at places like Al-Azhar that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's renaissance and enlightenment.”
He added, “And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.”
Considering the importance of this speech and time, Muslim world should respect his words without smelling any conspiracy theory. But at the same time, Obama should make sure that these do not remain just personal feelings of the US president and also not a mere masterpiece work of a literary artist. But, these are the words of whole US administration and they will execute their sayings considerably.
Secondly, when US is talking to maintain warm relationships with the Muslim nations, they should be very careful in their works, e.g. their peace missions in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. US should make sure that their actions will only be restricted to the welfare of those countries and there should not be the incidents where ‘hundreds of Afghan people lost their lives because US military forces made errors in carrying out airstrikes in Afghanistan’. On other hand, Muslim nations should also work on to curb those extremist forces within their communities, which are irrationally misguiding Muslims after spreading hatred against US. They should make sure that if one side of world is extending hand of friendship they should be equally cordial to receive it. We will only get the solution of isolation only when both sides are seriously working about it.
Mumbai
The speech of Obama to the Islamic World overall has been welcomed by the Muslim leaders in Maharashtra. Muslims here have high expectations from him.
Mustaqeem Ahsan Azmi, secretary, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, Maharashtra:
‘The approach of Obama towards the Islamic world, as expressed in his speech, is a good omen as regards the relations between the Islamic world and the West especially America. We welcome it. His attitude, contrary to former US presidents, towards the Islamic world should be adulated. Bush even has said that America was fighting a ‘Saleebi Jang’ (crusade). Bush has done bloodshed and torture on Muslims in the disguise of establishing peace but we hope that Obama will not step into his feet. We pray that the lobby prepared by Clinton and Bush let him work for the good cause.’
Maulana Sayyid Athar Ali, President, All India Ulama Association:
‘Overall, we welcome the speech of Obama. He is the first person to have spoken frankly about Islam, Muslims and terrorism. We are happy that he has set a deadline of 2012 to remove his army from Iraq. As a matter of fact the existence of both the Israel and Palestine are a reality. None of them can be removed. We should work out a solution to the issue geographically. The approach of Obama, as evident from his speech, in this regard is good. We also welcome his statement that the Christians and the Muslims should work together because it is exactly as per the teachings of the religion. However, we are disappointed that he did say nothing about the innocent killings in Afghanistan and Iraq. Had he said something (regretted on) about those killings it would had sent a better message. Only a speech cannot console those who lost their dearest and nearest ones in the battles. In words he said nothing rigid about Iran (but he gave indirect warning to it regarding nuclear weapons). He should have given the same (indirect) warning to North Korea too.’
Kochi
Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, Former State President, Muslim Youth League:
The speech of US President Barak Obama seems very hopeful. It is a matter of great relief that the American President is trying to understand Islam. The Muslim world is happy that the American President has an unambiguous knowledge of Islam when the global media spreads misconceptions about Islam. This speech is supposed to influence the future policies of the US government towards the Muslim world. The former governments in the country followed a hardcore pro-Jewish attitude. However, Obama has come forward to acknowledge the existence of Palestine. This change in the policies followed by the US is indeed welcome.
O. Abdulla, Veteran journalist:
President Barak Husain Obama’s Cairo speech includes all the ingredients for the Jew-Zionist lobby to call him Maulana Obama. Extreme confidence is not good in any matter. But at the same time, it is not right to approach everything from an angle of disappointment. I don’t think that anybody else in his place could have said more than what Obama has said in Cairo. As he said, change will not come by a single speech. But, what he did not care for in his speech was that the problems between the Muslim world and the US did not begin by 9/11. Obama’s foreign policy does not go side by side with his speech. The relevance of the speech lies in how well he can put it into practice, overpowering the plots of the Jewish lobby and the Zionists.
A.P. Abdul Qader Moulavi, Secretary, Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen:
We welcome Barak Obama’s speech. It is for the good of all that a peaceful situation prevails in West Asia. Obama’s speech and approach show a good sign. However, let us wait and see what happens.
E.M. Abdurahman, Popular Front of India:
Barak Obama is the head of a system. We will have to wait and see if the change in the voice of the head will reflect in the system. The change in the voice need not essentially be a change in the policy. But we hope it marks a change in the policy towards the Muslim world.
It is welcome that Obama has decided to withdraw the forces from Iraq. But at the same time he has also said that the epicenter of terrorism has shifted to Afghanisthan. So, it is only a shift of forces from Iraq to Afghan. This shows that America is still not ready to leave the Muslim world decide its own fate.
America should recognize that it is only one among the 200+ nations in the world. It should acknowledge that it is neither superior nor inferior to any other country. This aspect should be applicable in all matters including the nuclear issue. Iran too has the right to develop and utilize nuclear energy for its own needs. America should work cordially with all nations of the world. But, Obama has mentioned nothing in this regard in his speech. Unless such a message comes, we can’t hope for a major change in the US policy. However, let us hope that the welcome change of voice will reflect in the policies too.
Dr. Hussain Madavoor, General Secretary, Indian Islahi Movement
As his first speech in the Middle East, Obama’s speech in Cairo creates a lot of hope. Obama became a totally different American President by advocating a Palestinian State. He said that a Palestine state should be there along with the State of Israel. Obama also talked about Islam. He said that Islam is not about terrorism, but rather peace. What is important is that he has said so. What comes in practice can only be known later. It has been more than 100 days since Obama took office as the President of America. All this time in office, he had not mentioned about his Muslim background. But in Cairo, he spoke of his background also. All these show a positive sign and let us welcome it.
Dr.Hussain Madavoor
Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, Samastha Kerala Jam’iyyathul Ulema (A.P. faction)
US President Barak Obama’s speech in Cairo was historic and providing a lot of hopes to the world, especially the Islamic world. The former President George W. Bush spoke of waging a Crusade after 9/11. But, Obama has spoken about peace, like none of the former Presidents. Obama expressed his readiness for unconditional talks with Iran, retaining the friends in the Middle East. This shows that he looks forward to good relations. This is a clear change from the policy of George Bush that considered Iran as one among the axis of evil.
Kanthapuram AP Aboobakker Musliyar
Further, Obama has said that Israel should stop its settlements in the Palestinian areas. He has emphasized on the two-nation theory and asked to follow the Road Map. This is very relevant in the present circumstances when the misery of Palestine is not acknowledged as misery by the western media, when Israel is not ready even for UN discussions on the issue. The State of Israel is a reality. The Hamas and Palestinians should admit it.
Anybody can speak. But what is important is the transformation of words into action. Obama’s sincerity in his speech can be understood only by further action on his words.
O. Abdurahman, editor, 'Madhyamam' daily
When he was elected the President of the United States, Barak Obama said he had come with change. And that is what he repeated in the speeches afterwards. He always said that he would change US relations with the Muslim world. The visit to the Middle East and the speech in Cairo were a part of the change.
O.Abdurahman
The economic meltdown and the war in Iraq have affected the US very badly. The help and cooperation of the Muslim countries is very essential for it to come out of this grave crisis. So, Obama seriously wants to better relations. He said that the US does not plan to stay forever in Afghanisthan or to make the country a military base. He added that the US forces will completely be withdrawn from Iraq in 2012. Furthermore, the President expressed his wish to have good relations with Iran. But the basis for all problems with the Muslim world is the Palestine issue. Obama advocates a two-nation theory in the matter. Israel does not agree to this. Still, Obama’s repeated declaration of the two-nation formula can be seen as a way to force out Israeli support.
The Jewish-Israeli lobby is sure to vehemently oppose this. If that opposition is not overpowered, the speech will remain as a mere speech.
M.I. Thangal, editor, 'Chandrika' daily
Obama’s speech shows a voice of reconciliation. His mention of Iran and Palestine makes one think that he wishes for a change. He has used an entirely different tone from that of his predecessors.
Chennai
A. Faizur Rahman, construction engineer and peace activist:
“An amazing speech. But Obama was not fair in seeking a commitment to non-violence from the Palestinians alone. This was perhaps the only glaring omission in his speech. He talked about the violent acts of Hamas but refused to condemn Israel for its Gaza offensive which killed more than 1500 innocent Palestinians including children. Obama is willing to strike the Israelis but afraid to wound.”
A. Faizur Rahman made this statement in the US Consulate in Chennai where he was one of the few special invitees to witness the Obama speech live.
"But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investments within my country." I think Muslims must focus on this statement of Obama.
Patna
Maulana Anisur Rahman Quasmi, General Secretary, Imarat Shariah, Bihar
His speech is very good. But America has committed sin by killing innocents. If Obama regrets for those killings, it will be good. America should compensate for the killings and destructions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
