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THE QUESTION
Obama and Muslim World
At his inauguration, President Obama said: "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect." Is that possible? What must happen?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on January 28, 2009 4:15 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Conversation and Conversion
President Obama was right to reach out to the Islamic world at his inauguration. Given his background, Obama has a unique chance to promote what is good about the United States while distinguishing those virtues from our problems and failures.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on February 5, 2009 12:24 AM
Appeals for Peace Must Move Beyond Religion
Every administration has a new opportunity. President Obama will try. Will he succeed? The mutual interests of the Jews, the Muslims and the world cry out for it. The odds of the situation may be against him, but hopes of the world are soaring.
Posted by John Shelby Spong, on February 3, 2009 10:00 AM
U.S. Must Earn Respect With Consistent Values
Yes, we can move forward into a new era of peace and trust, if we do three simple things: recognize the diversity and humanity of Muslims and all people, return our country to respect for human rights and international law, and demand the same from our allies.
Posted by Starhawk, on February 3, 2009 7:35 AM
Time to Embrace the Muslim World as a Partner, not an Enemy
A shift in U.S. foreign policy that embraces the Muslim world as a partner rather than an enemy is not only possible, but is necessary for the future interests of humanity. Anti-Americanism in the Muslim world is not driven by hatred of U.S. values, but U.S. policies in the region.
Posted by Hadia Mubarak, on February 3, 2009 5:47 AM
Obama to Muslims: "We Are Not Your Enemy"
What is astonishing to me is less the Inaugural rhetoric of "mutual interest and mutual respect" than the fact that the President today spoke directly to many in the Muslim world. This is not only a new foreign policy approach, it is also a different ethics for engaging with the peoples of the world.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on February 2, 2009 7:39 AM
Weaving an Abrahamic Peace
Repairing relations and affirming the legitimacy of Islam in America, by visiting some major Muslim venues; Repairing the bloody wounds of the Gaza-Israel relationship; and making a broad Middle East peace among Israel, Palestine, all the Arab states, Iran and the USA itself.
Posted by Arthur Waskow, on February 2, 2009 6:07 AM
Obama's Outreach To Muslims Laudable But Passions Block Reasonable Solutions
Obama is obliged to try to continue to seek peace because that is what decent political leaders do. But I don't think anyone is going to get very far with people who believe that they're entitled to a certain piece of Jerusalem because Muhammad ascended into heaven there, or to some piece of desert because Jewish prophets are supposedly buried there.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on January 30, 2009 9:16 AM
Obama Used the Word Muslims Want to Hear - Respect
Obama spoke the right words, in the right spirit. Muslims may seem too eager to seize on his middle name, but Hussein is more than a symbol. It's a crack in the wall that has kept Islam apart for so long.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on January 30, 2009 8:50 AM
President Too Soft On Some and Too Hard On Many
There is no single Muslim world, and any intimation that there is, will either work against addressing the serious threats we face from some Muslims, or cause us to miss the genuine opportunities that will be found by working more constructively with many more. Where President Obama got it right was in using the word "mutual" to define the new way forward which he seeks.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on January 30, 2009 8:21 AM
President Obama's One World Includes Muslims
"A new way forward" for America and the Muslim world is possible to the extent that the focus abides on the President's priority, namely, "mutual interest."
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on January 30, 2009 7:54 AM
Start by Listening to the Real Muslim World
Obama is off to a good start. He seems to realize that the vast majority of the Muslim world aspires to the same American values of freedom of speech and democracy. It is American foreign policy, and perceived double standards that angers them.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on January 28, 2009 8:05 AM
Start with Shared Notion of One Creator
The western world has had complex, sometimes cruel interactions with the Muslim world. The Muslim world -- or a worrying portion of it -- has expressed not merely contempt, but the desire to obliterate Israel, America, and derides significant parts of Western culture.
Posted by David Wolpe, on January 28, 2009 7:53 AM
Mutual Respect Possible, But Takes Two Sides
Mutual interest is peace. Yet the Islamic world continues to train and house terrorists. Mutual respect requires the renunciation of violence on both sides.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on January 28, 2009 2:05 AM
Obama Must Transcend Israeli/Palestinian Divisions
The Obama administration will have to transcend America's policy of "Israeli Exceptionalism," privileging Israeli interests. A more even-handed policy would require that Israel as well as HAMAS and the Palestinians be held to the same standards to respect and comply with international law and U.N. resolutions.
Posted by John Esposito, on January 28, 2009 12:39 AM
Respect Between Religions
All religions must come to an understanding that it is impossible for the whole world to be converted to any one faith.
Posted by Arun Gandhi, on January 27, 2009 2:49 AM
Save & Share:
bluefirewitch: I think moving forward as a country means recognizing all religions. Pagans have been largely ingored in this country by politicians. It's...
vicbennettnet: Although I do think we need to approuch the so called Muslim World with care, I also believe the world we call Muslim may not be One World a...
ArabAmerican50: President Obama is doing exactly the right thing by talking directly to muslims around the world who felt the United States had waged a war ...
