A couple of days ago, Obama made a landmark speech in Cairo outlining his intentions for a partnership based on mutal understanding and respect between the west and the Arab world. There was no one better to do this, than Barack Hussein Obama, a man who is of african heritage, who spent part of his schooling in an Indonesian Pesantren in Jakarta (an Islamic school). Obama demonstrated this by greating the Arab world with the words "assalaamu alaykum" which translates to "peace be upon you" in in Arabic which is used by Muslims to great one another. This was something that many of the news channels did not speak of which is a shame because i believe it not only demonstrates his courtesy in speaking the language of his hosts, but also of his understanding and respect for Islam and its followers. Obama's obvious understanding of the religion is further demonstrated with his quotes of the Qu'ran.
I am particularly impressed with Obama's approach to this speech, this is something that has never been done by another US president and it is through such actions of selfless mutual respect that Obama proposed the US repairs its damaged relationship with the Arab world. The first step the US president made was admitting the faults of America towards the issue, accepting the responsibility meant more to the Islamic world than new promises ever would. Obama added that changes were not only one way and that the Arab world had many to make as well - notably the violence between Israel and Palestine (of which he used the name - another landmark admission).
I hope this speech put in the ground work for new beginnings between the two worlds and i hope that America will understand how essential these actions are.
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