Obama pledges new start with Muslim
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama promised to improve U.S. ties with the Muslim world in his inauguration address on Tuesday, after tensions that followed the September 11 attacks and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," said Obama, who became the first black president of the United States.
Obama, a practicing Christian, spent several years of his childhood in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation. His American mother, Ann Dunham, married Muslim Indonesian Lolo Soetoro after the end of her marriage to Obama's Kenyan father.
"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist," Obama said.
Under President George W. Bush, U.S. relations with Muslim nations have often been fractious, particularly after the September 11 attacks.
Many Muslims were angered by the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the opening of a prison for foreign terrorism suspects at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, widely seen as a symbol of human rights abuses of mostly Muslim prisoners carried out in the name of the "war on terrorism."
The Council on American Islamic Relations welcomed Obama's promise on seeking better relations with Muslim nations.
"We hope this encouraging statement, coupled with a change in America's previous policies toward the Muslim world, will help improve our nation's image and promote a safe and prosperous future for all of humanity," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the council.
The first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress, Minnesota Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison, said Obama's words were an important signal of goodwill to Muslims in the United States as well as the rest of the world.
"I do believe it could undermine recruiting for al Qaeda," he told Reuters, because "their message depends on trying to demonize the United States as a country that is somehow hostile to Islam and the Muslim world."
Ellison said Obama's outreach would make it hard for al Qaeda to sustain its anti-American message.
Many Muslims are already excited about Obama, he said.
"If you were to go to Damascus, or Cairo, or Jerusalem today, you could find an Obama tee shirt. People are excited about the possibilities for what this means around the globe."
The population of Ellison's district is three or four percent Muslim, he said. Since his election to Congress in 2006, another Muslim has also been voted in: Democrat Andre Carson of Indiana.
About 300 young Muslims from 76 countries signed a letter published in the Washington Post on Tuesday, urging the new president to make policy changes that could improve relations between the Muslim world and the West.
(Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell; editing by Patricia Zengerle)
President Barack Obama gestures from his reviewing stand during the inaugural parade in front of the White House in Washington January 20, 2009.
Obama Look-Alike Becomes Indonesia TV Star
A Indonesian magazine photographer who bears a striking resemblance to Barack Obama is now collecting paychecks as a president-elect look-alike.
FOXNews.com
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Jan. 20: Obama look-alike Ilham Anas, a 34-year-old magazine photographer, poses during an interview at his office in Jakarta, Indonesia.
That's not Barack Obama selling heartburn medication.
It's Ilham Anas, an Indonesian magazine photographer who bears a striking resemblance to the president-elect. The 34-year-old is now collecting paychecks as an Obama look-alike.
"At first my nose and eyes made me self-conscious, but now I think they are God's blessing," Ilham Anas told the Associated Press.
Like Obama, Anas is of American and Kenyan descent. His new life as an Obama double started after the November 2008 election.
"My colleagues played a practical joke on me -- they made me wear a suit, a tie, and took pictures of me posing as Obama," Anas told Reuters.
From there, his notoriety soared.
"The pictures spread very quickly on the Internet, he told Reuters. "It was phenomenal. Then TV stations and an advertising agency got in touch with me."
Now, Anas is making public appearances around Asia, and even appeared in a heartburn medication commercial in the Philippines. While he won't be present in Washington, D.C., as Obama is inaugurated, Anas will be playing the part on Indonesian television.
4 comments:
I am both sad and happy for Obama. Sad because he is and should be a Muslim as his father was a Muslim. Happy because he is the first black American (though mixed) to be elected as US no 1.
Deep inside me, I hope and pray that he exercise more tolerance and sympathy towards Muslim countries.
I also pray that he will receive his hidayah and convert to Islam...It has been my dream to see US being governed by Muslims - possible if you look at the trend in the not-too-distant future.
But for now, don't hope too much..there are still them around him, influencing and coercing him...he is, but just a man...
I am to wait for his promises to be fulfilled and pray that all his dreams and aspirations come true with less obstacles.
I am sure everyone is praying for these... that's the least we, around the world, could offer him.
All The Best To him from now on.
I am very exited about Obama...I hope he can make the changes he promised..And it made me very happy to hear him speak this words of improvemend..I pray for tolerance and understanding towards Muslim countries..
Yes The Dutchess,
We are all hoping for those promises to be accomplished and fulfilled. We have to pray for his endeavor.
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