Aseem Shukla
co-founder, Hindu American Foundation

Aseem Shukla

Associate Professor in urologic surgery at the University of Minnesota medical school. Co-founder and board member of Hindu American Foundation.

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Obama right on Indonesia, wrong on "Muslim world"

President Obama's charge to Indonesia last night was to rise above platitudes. It was to be billed as the second chapter in Obama's conversation with the "Muslim world." Standing before a podium in the most populous Muslim land, expectations ran high.

Watching the speech, I saw echoes of the rapturous reception Obama elicited on the campaign trail as he divided his talk into three parts: development, democracy and religious faith. Fresh in the afterglow of his trip to India, the president emphasized his theme that India and Indonesia's achievements demonstrate that democracy and development reinforce each other. A colonizer's strong hand should not be replaced by the iron fist of a dictator, he said.

And then the president delved into religious faith. But beyond a call for pluralism, e pluribus unum--out of one, many--Obama only superficially treaded on the polarizing topics that define this particular outreach: He is ending American engagement in Iraq; direct talks were started between Israel and Palestine though challenges remain; and al-Qaeda is the common enemy that must be eliminated.

This speech lacked pretensions to be transformative, and so it does not fail in any real way. But I continue to question the real utility in billing these speeches as addresses to global Muslims. Whether in Cairo, Istanbul or Jakarta, I am certain that the president understands the complexity and heterogeneity of people that happen to share the same faith. Muslims are not a monolithic entity with identical aspirations and similar histories or ethnicities that would even respond to any particular theme.

It seems that Muslims in Cairo would have a strong interest in understanding American interventions in Iraq or the Gaza strip, but would peace between Israel and Palestine really ease a Pakistani Muslim's angst over our forays in Afghanistan? And the average Bangladeshi Muslim would be more interested, perhaps, in the microfinance schemes supported by Americans through the World Bank, than the latest grandstanding over a mosque in lower Manhattan. And so the most sustained applause came when Obama addressed an issue much closer to Indonesian hearts and minds: the syncretic qualities of Indonesia manifest in a mosque he visited earlier that was designed by a Christian architect. Muslims, as anyone else, subscribe to the dictum that all politics are local after all. Giving in to the concept that the world's Muslims would suddenly love Americans or Americana if only the conflicts in the Middle East, Afghanistan or Kashmir would end is facile and dangerous.

obama mosque 350.jpg
(President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visit Istiqlal Mosque with Grand Imam Yaqub in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010. )

The president's speech before India's parliament was not billed as an address to the billion strong Hindu world because Hindus comprise 80% of that country's population, and one hopes that the tendency of Muslim majority countries to disavow secular constitutions and credentials would not be empowered by framing conversations as involving people beyond borders simply because they share a faith.

The Obama White House has acknowledged a communication gap with the American people. From healthcare reform to cap and trade legislation, and from tax cuts to economic policy, Obama has attributed a shellacking to that gap. This same gap was evident in the run up to this Southeast Asian trip as well.

There were great expectations--since unmet--that Obama would visit the Sikh's holiest shrine while in India or even one of Mumbai or Delhi's famed Hindu temples. Reports initially indicated that the visit to the Sikh temple was scrapped as head covering is required and the potential images would be damaging. The White House has since denied those reports attributing scheduling conflicts and the tight time-frame, and the president did celebrate the Hindu and Sikh festival of Diwali with school children with his now famous dance moves.

But where images and rhetoric matters, the best advice would be to deal with the aspirations and concerns of the nations he visits. Public pronouncements of making policy decisions to allay a global religious agenda are fraught. We must explain that our interventions overseas and interests in the Middle East are for regional stability and economics, but not to assuage age-old religious grievances. Our national policy decisions should be in America's interest and because they are ethical and just. And the shellacking he may or may not take again in two years, after all, will depend more on the unemployment rate at the time than whether he was ever seen wearing a Sikh turban or Muslim prayer cap.

Views expressed here are the personal views of Dr. Aseem Shukla, and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Minnesota or Hindu American Foundation.

By Aseem Shukla  |  November 10, 2010; 12:48 PM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
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DO NOT FORGIVE Them For, They know What They DO'th!

"H I S T O R Y - I S - O.U.R. - J U R Y"

DEAR "SECULAR-RiGHT"S ATTORNEY et al:

B R E A K I N G - B U B B L E S--NEWS:
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..
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Isn't SECULARISM, not Communism, a Religion?
...
..
."I AM ALLAH" has been arrested and now facing LIFE in prison and his Mother wants him to stay there for both Vigilantes against the Family and protecting 'I am Gud" (Her 'SECular-SON'; not "PRODIGAL Sun") from Islamic Fanatics [Remember the CARTOON Mu-HAM-MAD debacle], wild Cookykooks and da "Crazy LOT"s who sing "Al Akbarr". Talking about being a Gavfilta-FISH now: OYE...!
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..
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SEE."KAFIRS"..! PLO.ISLAMIC.RELIGiOUS.POLICE.
.......+...................................................................
.....O.......……………………,/////////////……………..........,/..
..0.........………,……..__,---///////////////////,…..............,/././..
0............…………,-'.. ). ). ). ). ). ).''///////_\…........../././././ ..
....O.......……_,-' ))`.. ) .) .). ) .) .) .). ). ).)..`-......././././././
........……/..(♠ ♣)_).).).).).\. ) .). ) .). ). ) .). )__/./././././././ .
............…\____ ).).).).).). ).). ). ). ) .). ). ).__.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\...
{-Im ALLAH;> .)))))))./. ). ). ) .) .) .). ).)_/,-`__.\.\.\.\.\.\.\..
............…..___,').),'). ). ). ). )_),,--'……………...\.\.\.\.\.\ …
............….(_______............\.\)_),--'"……………...`\.\.\.\ ...
............……………….-.........\.\.\……………………...`\.\.\ ..
............……,…………...........\.\.\……………….............`\.
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... Please see:

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/palestinian-jailed-for-logging-on-to-facebook-as-god-to-criticize-islam-1.324302

EXCERPT: ".. Residents of Qalqiliya [West-Bank; Palestine?] say they had no idea that Walid Husayin - the 26-year-old son of a Muslim scholar [Barber?] - was leading a double life.."
.
===========================================
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............................ _.-(_)._
........................... '______'
.......................... {______} . . . If iSLAM is A Peaceful
.......................... /./..\/..\.\ . . Ummah, Then WHY Art
.......................... |.\__/\__/.|.. . YE Acquiring A 'WMD'
.......................... \.....--....../ . . against 'KAFIR' Ummah?
......................... /'...."""....'\ .
....................... \/_.............._\
....................... (__/....'|....\__)
.......................... |___.|___|
........................... '---------'. . . . By: STAN & Family
........................................ . . . . Park-South Tribe.
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CREDITs to "JJ".

http://onwapo.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/w-e-l-c-o-m-e/

LET MY KAFIR(s) GO!
.

Posted by: woodstock-41 | November 13, 2010 12:49 AM
Report Offensive Comment

LET MY KAFIR'S GO!

BEWARE:

NEVER LET "Satanic VersUS" Lovers, Agents by Proxy via "ELDERS OF AL TAQIYAH" from WAHHABi Saudi & AYATOLLAH Irani" handlers, into the UNITED STATES OF EURO" [aka EURO UNION or Kafir-Ummah again!

DON't Be Fooled!

It is time For Europe's SECULAR-UMMAH OF KAFIR" Nationals To Rise-Up against their Conspirators within and out, with a version of their own 'Monroe Doctrine" adjusted for our Times, not Theirs.

VOTE: Throw Out All, Every and Any Member of the 54 Nation anti-Humanity, Anti-Family anti-KAFIR, "ORGANIZATION of ISLAMIC COUNCIL" [a "U.N. based on ISLAM & ALLAH" not G_D]. THROW

THen 54-OIC's out of our (not Their) SECULAR Original "United Nation"s Now!

WHEREFORE: Out of 192 U.N. Members: It is imperative that the 'Secular-U.N." kick-Out All 54 Islamish OIC Members therein thus leaving Us with only 138 (none Islamic) Nations. Ishlami Free! Please see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisation_of_the_Islamic_Conference

AND see: Trouble Makers & Overlaping Pre-Apocalyptic "Arab League" [22 ARABOUS's or another U.N. based on Ishlamiization, who DO-n-DENY, BLAME & play god], a/k/a The Biggest Trouble Makers On Earth; All Because WE helped Them get Prosperous, which they are and will use to Subjegate the Earths KAFIR-UMMAH via their "ELDERS of AL TAQIYAH", secret Society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_League___

VOTE: Kick-Out All ISHLAMi's, from All Kafir Lands, "Wherever Ye Find Them" and Kick Them Out of Our Lands, Away from Our CULTtures!

Note: Before Doing So {Expelling them} , or After Doing So {Kick out} ; Please Pay the "Fair Market Value" of All Property's; Personal & Business under Eminent-Domain Laws, not SHARIA, Not HALACHA laws etc..!
____
SUGGESTION: ISRAEL should Re-Invade GAZA. Push and Send ALL of their Current Anti-Humanists into TURKEY & IRAN, but not Lebanon or Jordan or West Bank: AND Instead

Re-Build & House ALL 2.5 Million Persecuted XRISTIANS who live in IRAQ, KURDS, and SYRIA & Near, to Live In GAZA [Change The Name] and Annexed those Xristian Immigrants into Greater ISRAEL!

Or, MOVE All IRAQi ChristiANs, Who are currently Being Threatened Into KURDs LAND. And if No THEN

Let All of Pakistans threatened AHMADIYYA Sufi's Community to Live Together, side by side in the Newly Purged GAZA. They will Coexist without a Doubt!

So, ISRAEL: Time To Flatten GAZA into a Baren Land or a Parking Lot; That IRAQi Christians & Pakistani Ahmadiyyah folks will Appreciate and turn into a Peace-Full real PARADISE to Israels Advantage. Which translates into the KAFIR's Advantage! Aye?

So, All Those so-Called KAFIR nations who are "Observer"s within the ishlami "OIC" and or the A.L.; Then They should Leave. Else Be Kicked-Off The SECULAR UNIN Membership Rosters as well!

Maybe It's Time To Kick China Off The U.N. Security Council & Take-Back their "Permanent" VOTER privilege (not a Right) & Give it To sweet "INDIA" instead! Aye?

Posted by: woodstock-41 | November 12, 2010 2:11 PM
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Oooppssa.

That was meant for Pam Taylor, CIA, FBI, HOMELAND-SECURITY, PENTAGON, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY & Friendly's.

Note: RUSSIAN "Orthodox Church" & "Roman Catholic Church" in CUBA or in Venezuela includes Ishlami Mosques & Budhhist Chinese Temples etc. there, is another Embassy & Mafia in Disguise as Institution!

Posted by: woodstock-41 | November 12, 2010 12:58 PM
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Forgot:

WHERE is the Long Awaited "NEW MONROE DOCUMENT". Anybody? Now, besides Shia IRAN, via 'AL TAQIYAH' Tactics managed to infiltrated & Mesmerized Venezuela's Leaderhip [Chavez] via Satanic VersUS etc.. Pleazza see:

http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=13657

EXCERPT: "[Sunni & Shia aka Sufi & Armenian Killers] TURKEY has rebuffed a U.S. effort to persuade it to scale back its trade ties with [mostly Shia] IRAN despite a persistent U.S. lobbying campaign this week in Washington and Ankara" AND

NOW The Jealous Neo-Nazi TURKish Ummah have, by Religio "PROXY elements" ruffled the SECULAR feathers of a SECULAR's good Natured UNITED STATES & Beyond by Boldly, via SEcular Pretexts (not Secular Guns & means & Ways or Hearts) recently dared

Infiltrating AMERICA's Ab-ORIGINAL "NATIVE INDIAN's Special rights and taking advantage of their TRADE & "TAX-EXEMPT" loop holes, as be OPEN OFFSHORE BANKING & TRADE Entities. OYE...?

Pleazza See:
http://bunkerville.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/native-american-tribes-seek-trade-ties-with-turkey/

EXCERPT: "Native American tribal leaders seeking trade ties with Ishlami Sunni TURKISHT COMPANIEShave offered [Native American Spiritual-Fanatics/FundaMENTALists] tax incentives to operate in their territories in the United States...."
___

Revealation (opposite Secret) Hark!; Islamic Creep/ScareThreat is Real, and it's AGENDA against KAFIRS-NATIONALS are indirectly being Assisted, by their SINO/CHINK COMMY backed Corporations.

Note: Please See: What CHINA recently said about their [Atomic-Islamic] where, "PAKISTAN IS OUR ISRAEL." Note This was really a FREUDIANLY-SLIPPED & made by their SINO/CHINKO UMMAH leaderships (who Pakistan's Mr. KHAN (Mr. DEath) aka Father of the "SUNNi-A-BOMB" Stole From Western DENMAK/DUTCH technology while WORKING therein & gave CHINA or shared with China + N. Korea simultaneously for highest Help or Bidder) on our S.pace-S.hip Earth, not only Theirs!?.

EXCERPT: "When a US delegate once confronted a Chinese diplomat about Beijing's uncompromising support for Pakistan, the Chinese reportedly responded with a heavily-loaded sarcastic remark: "Pakistan is our Israel".

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2010/10/20101028135728235512.html

___

Another Development Brewing is the Fact that the "Elders Of AL TAQIYAH" have also been Exponentially Populating South America's GUYANA with Ishlami's and MOSQUE Buildings too, not Only In America NYC at Ground Zero and it's City's. AND

ISHLAMi-COMMYs are currently Infiltrating Neighboring BRAZIL (Irans Pal too, not Only NICARAHUA & VENEZUELA & "CUBA...).

Secret: The CHINESE [Investment Houses] Government CORPORATIONS, stealthy are Heling IRANian-COMMUNISTS" Launder & Evade U.S. LAWS with SINO/CHINKO, Seculars in Disguises, via "OFF-SHORE-BANKS" in Several Caribbean Secret BANKS.

VOTE: NEW MONROE DOCUMEN Now!!

Posted by: woodstock-41 | November 12, 2010 12:43 PM
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Dr. Shukla was describing a concept as "facile and dangerous," but it occurred to me that those two words together are probably the most succinct and accurate way to describe obama. At the end of the day, obama's Indonesian speech was pandering. Panderer-in-Chief.

Posted by: wmpowellfan | November 11, 2010 6:58 AM
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Dr. Shukla was describing a concept as "facile and dangerous," but it occurred to me that those two words together are probably the most succinct and accurate way to describe obama. At the end of the day, obama's Indonesian speech was pandering. Panderer-in-Chief.

Posted by: wmpowellfan | November 11, 2010 6:58 AM
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Dr. Shukla,
Thank you for an interesting article.

President Obama is making a common strategic error by acknowledging the existence of a "Muslim world". This encourages Islamists, and it demoralizes Muslims who are trying to define their identity in a more concrete and practical manner. The simple fact is that solving the Palestinian issue will not improve access to education, water, or electricity in Pakistan.

By globally elevating the "Islamic" identity above national, regional, or ethnic identities promotes Islamic extremism and terrorism. This problem is in full display in Pakistan, which is the epicenter of Islamic terrorism and Islamism. The lack of attachment to their own regional and ethnic identity and elevation of the Islamic identity by Pakistani leaders has created a dangerous and failing state with safe havens for Al Queda, Taliban, and other terrorists.

Obama and many policy makers don't seem to recognize the problem in acknowledging and addressing the "Islamic world". Addressing the "Islamic world" only affirms the extremists propaganda of martyrdom and their zeal for jihad. In the War on Terrorism, Obama is making a long-term strategic error.

Posted by: clearthinking1 | November 11, 2010 2:03 AM
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Obama said nothing about the 250,000,000 enslaved scheduled caste in India, the great democracy.

He said nothing about Kasmir.

He said nothing about bride-burning.

He said nothing about discrimination against gays in India.

He said nothing about discrimination against Muslims

He said nothing about the great democracy's shenanigans in Bangaladesh, which are known to any Indian who can read or hear.

He said nothing about Indonesia's blasphemy laws, etc., persecution (genocide) of the West Papuans.

And of course, he said nothing about the anti-Jewish racism in Indonesia, a land where there are no Jews. Pity for them. Good for us.

It only remains for him to say something at some point to the "Muslim World" about the three million Jews in exile from the Middle East, the persecution of Christians (90 just slaughtered in an Iranian Church), of the B'hai, etc.

And? So? Point?
========================================
Where have YOU been on the discrimination, murder without penalty, in India, Doctor?

And spare us your crocodile tears for Pakistan. We know what you think. You've been blogging here for too long.

There's a word for you: HYPOCRITE. (See dictionary.)

Posted by: FarnazMansouri2 | November 11, 2010 12:40 AM
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By coming and mixing and talking President Obama with wife Michelle has brought the values of America to Asia and by doing that he has a rendered a significant service to freedom and to humanity

Posted by: ralbuquerque1 | November 11, 2010 12:08 AM
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If Obama really wants to address global Muslims, he must first cease the crusader war against them that he inherited from Bush.

In particular, the repeated Obamassacres of civilians in Pakistan and Afghanistan through the use of predator drones must stop. And these predator drones are guided from the USA by non=uniformed personnel in violation of all the rules of war.

Obama's routine as Bush Lite won't work. Muslims are not going to love Obama simply because he plays Al Capone compared to Bush's Hitler. No one is going to believe him. And until he stops murdering Muslims, no one SHOULD believe him.

Posted by: bloggersvilleusa | November 10, 2010 11:49 PM
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Dr. Shukla,

It is as much a proof of Hindu hatred to argue that there is a " tendency [by] Muslim majority countries to disavow secular constitutions and credentials", as it is for that Teaxan priest to have wished to burn the Holy Qur'an. But, I shall leave you at the level where you choose to be.

Posted by: FUZZYTRUTHSEEKER | November 10, 2010 11:35 PM
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Mr. Shukla,
'e pluribus unum' means "out of many, one' not as you wrote ' out of one'.
Also I would like to note that maybe, maybe, Pres. Obama came to realize that the belief in a just supreme being is absurd, considering the great number of innocent babies and children killed at random by tsunamis and earthquakes caused by the the moving tectonic plates that of course are behind human control.

Posted by: ThishowIseeit | November 10, 2010 7:48 PM
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Aseem,
I do'nt think your reading of the "Muslim world" is accurate:Muslims every where feel strongly especially about Palestine,Kashmir,Soamlai,Sudan,Bosnia..etc

Naturally Muslims feel stronger about an issue depending on the severity and geographic proximity to them:Muslims in Syria feel stronger about the Palestine issue because of its geographic proximity and its vital importance as a pan Arab/Islamic issue. Of course Kashmiris' top priroity is to rid themselves of the 63 year old Indian occupation and denial of their right to self-determination yet they feel strongly about Palestine as its almost identical to their own situation.

The Muslim World does in fact exist in the cultural sense but is hardly so when it comes to political unity.

Posted by: asizk | November 10, 2010 6:08 PM
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Everyone oversimplifies the world. This is how we deal with it an enormous world. No exceptions to that rule. Pres. Obama of course is going to oversimplfy "the Islam world". We have our own reasons for wanting the Isreal-Palestinian conflict to end. We have our own reasons for supporting democracy. We have our own vision of the world and that isn't likely to be the same one Indonesians have. However, people tend to be people whereever they are on the planet and want alot of the same things. As far as I can tell that's all he addressed. Talking is good. Russian Proverb, "Wag your tongue, but don't wave your gun."

Posted by: kchses1 | November 10, 2010 5:41 PM
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Obama seems to downplay the islamic resurgence in countries like Indonesia.
From Indonesia to Istanbul,muslims in general,in massive numbers are turning towards Islam as a resource of identity,legitimacy and hope. Jihad is a by product of this resurgence.

Posted by: cs9243 | November 10, 2010 5:11 PM
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OBAMA WANTS TO GIVE 400 BILLION TO PAKISTAN STOP HIS LUNITIC SPENDING. WE ARE A COUNTRY BANKRUPT BY HIS MANY VACATION HE AN HIS GREEDY MICHELLE SPEND. IT COST BILLIONS TO FLY EACH TIME HE & SHE DO! THE ONLY WAY TO BALANCE AMERICA'S BUDGET TO COMPLETELY GET RID OF THE PRESIDENT AN GONGRESS. THEN WE COULD RID THE USA OF RAIDING OUR RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Posted by: JWTX | November 10, 2010 4:20 PM
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Obama was pandering to a Muslim audience and he said exactly what they wanted to hear. Blame Israel and hold them responsible for all Muslim problems and he has them eating out of his hand.

Posted by: shewholives | November 10, 2010 4:10 PM
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Does Obama understand Islam is a fractious religion?

Obama deals with the wild variants of Christianity, so I'm pretty sure he gets it.

Posted by: BurfordHolly | November 10, 2010 3:16 PM
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