Obama Emerges as the Middle East Favorite for His Muslim Heritage

[BeyondGeography]

By LARA SETRAKIAN
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 10, 2008
ABC News

They may not have a vote, but civic-minded people in the Middle East are watching the U.S. presidential race closely, and some have already chosen their favorite candidate.

"My favorite is unquestionably Sen. Obama. He presents a new face of America to the Middle East, and to the world at large," Hafed Al Ghwell, a Libyan-American with the Dubai School of Government, told ABC News.

"I think is capable of restoring the image of America as a beacon of democracy," said Fadi Salem, a Syrian engineer, also with the DSG.

The Illinios Democrat seems to have captured the hearts, minds and newspaper pages of the Middle East.

Even before winning in Iowa, Obama appeared to be the local favorite, as evidenced in the region's English language press. An op-ed in Egypt's Daily News called him "a breath of fresh air." Another, in the Daily Star of Lebanon, said he is "a global candidate for a global age."

"To see an African-American come this close to the White House, less than 50 years after the end of segregation ... is an accomplishment for which all Americans can be proud," wrote an editorial in Arab News, a Saudi Arabian newspaper. "Democrats, in particular, must quietly feel glad that the days of the Birmingham Barons and Bull Connor are behind the party."

Though Obama is, himself, a Christian, his father's Muslim heritage, and his own multiracial makeup, are seen as a huge plus — a sign to many here that he may be able to understand the region and what it would take to achieve peace and stability.

In one editorial, Lebanese political analyst Chibli Mallat pointed out that the name Barack is short for "Mubarak," an Arabic word, meaning "the blessed one." In a point of unsolicited advice, Mallat suggested Obama should highlight, not bury, that heritage.

"You should be proud of your Muslim legacy," wrote Mallat. "Make it a central plank of your campaign to become world leader. There is no contradiction between this and the Christian convictions you have. ... Become a uniquely ecumenical president, in a world increasingly in the throes of religious strife."

Continued at:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=4116228&page=1

[Bonobo]

1. Yeah, ABC, drive home the Muslim thing! The viral e-mail wasn't enough!

[Windy]

7. The viral email that was spammed to all attorneys in my lawfirm (over 50) TWICE today! n/t

[madeline_con]

8. You're making it sound like it's a negative thing.

What's wrong with a Muslim heritage? :shrug:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. there's nothing wrong with it..

but most Amerikans don't see it that way. :(

[Bonobo]

11. I don't think there is a damn thing wrong with it myself, believe me.

But I understand it is beginning to be a problem politically for him due to the e-mail - according to some anecdotes I have heard here as well as Tom Hartmann.

Myself, I think it is a wonderful thing and would help bind us with the rest of the world better.

[Windy]

13. absolutely nothing... but American's are not that bright...

I don't care what race or religion a person is. I look at the issues. Frankly I agree that Obama's varied heritage and experiences uniquely situate him to deal with world issues, people and governments of other countries.

I wish that everyone felt like that, but the truth is, they don't. I have looney inlaws that believed the muslim email despite my telling them that it was untrue and forwarding them information. (yes, I do need your pity)

We live in a very uncultured dumbed down society

[Bicoastal]

2. It should really be "for his FATHER's muslim heritage!"

Yeesh.

[NYCGirl]

5. It's in the article, Bicoastal:

"Though Obama is, himself, a Christian, his father's Muslim heritage, and his own multiracial makeup, are seen as a huge plus — a sign to many here that he may be able to understand the region and what it would take to achieve peace and stability."

[Bicoastal]

9. I know, but it's headlines people read and report on AM Talk Radio.

[BeyondGeography]

12. People (not you) are tinfoiling this to death

We're hated in this part of the world, people are regularly being recruited over there to kill us and we have a candidate who could potentially humanize us in a part of the world that presently objectifies us.

This article speaks to Obama's potential. If Americans don't get it, they're screwed anyway.

[Windy]

15. many many won't get it... unfortunately. n/t

[jackson_dem]

21. That part of the world has hated us for four decades

Obama isn't going to change that simply because his daddy was a Muslim.

[BeyondGeography]

28. Peace, love and understanding won't break out

Much needed humanization will.

[jackson_dem]

30. I wish. It would last for a week until they realize Obama is no different than Bill Clinton was

Clinton wasn't universally hated in the Muslim world like Bush is but he has hardly a beloved figure, especially in the Middle East.

[Justitia]

33. His father wasn't a Muslim, he was a declared atheist. -eom

[smalll]

36. His mother was also an atheist. That'll help him lots, won't it? /nt

[Justitia]

41. Well, people who care about that probably wouldn't vote for a black man anyway. -eom

[Justitia]

32. and in actuality, his father was an avowed atheist. -eom

[Purveyor]

3. Just wait until Faux Noise and Hate-wing radio pickup on this... eom

[Clarkansas]

4. Oh God. Did Karl Rove write this? eom

[Windy]

6. Oh dear God. We are doomed. This is clear evidence that the powers that be hold control who wins

Frightening...

This is a definite corporate hit peice. Obama can't diss it because normally there would be nothing wrong with this if the US was an educated society, but its not. Dumbed down American Idol watchers will find this horrifying...

Makes you wonder who holds who in their pocket.

[Bonobo]

I agree completely. It is simply Rovian in its evil genius.

No one in the News media could be unaware of the fact that this will hurt Obama.

It is likely a hit piece.

[LibDemAlways]

14. The word "Muslim" associated with any candidate for

President of the US is in no way, shape, or form a plus here in the US. Is ABC previewing its fall strategy or trying to destroy him now in favor of Hillary? It's one or the other.

[lvx35]

16. What's so bad about this?

"He presents a new face of America to the Middle East"

That's an incredibly strong argument in his favor. How is having somebody respected in the Middle East as president going to hurt our interests? You guys underestimate Americans.

[Bonobo]

19. You overestimate Americans, I think.

No offense, I honestly wish I was still that naive and innocent.

[BeyondGeography]

20. Agreed...it's called soft power

We always used to know what that meant.

[jackson_dem]

27. Obama will be as respected in the Middle East as Edwards or Hillary would be

They all have the same policies. Do you think some guy in Cairo who hates us for supporting Israel (a policy I agree with) is going to start to love us simply because Obama's daddy was a Muslim? This is what Hillary meant when she spoke of false hopes...

[lvx35]

37. You don't want to overestimate middle eastern folks while you underestimate us.

Ask yourself: What effect would it have on American public opinion if Pakistan apointed a leader who was blued eyed caucasian and named Joe Smith? It would probably be somewhat positiive, even if he were a native pakistani raised muslim, and the effect would be more pronounced the LESS education the Americans judging him have. If you reverse it, and consider the people in the middle east we most need to effect as being less educated on the whole than Americans, you can see what I'm saying.

[smalll]

17. lol - Barack is short for Mubarak --

Mubarak Hussein Obama. Two dictators and almost-a-terrorist. And some people think he's electable?

[stillcool]

22. yeah crazy isn't it...

diversity and all of that shit...who the fuck are we kidding?

[NYCGirl]

23. Actually, "Barack" is Swahili. Seems like everyone wants to claim him as their

own, though.

[BeyondGeography]

25. You need to add "minded" to your name

[smalll]

29. Yes, names CAN be unfortunate -- /nt

[Occam Bandage]

38. Wow. A liar *and* a racist.

[smalll]

39. I'm getting that piece of information DIRECTLY from the OP --

Maybe if you had read it, you would have noticed that. :shrug:

[stillcool]

18. I don't understand what is wrong with this...

Is there a problem with the Arab world thinking we might not be as much of a racist country as we are? Do descendants of Muslims need to go in the closet? Is it really that bad?

[BeyondGeography]

31. It's only a billion people

I say let's write 'em off. :sarcasm:

[Proud2BAmurkin]

24. Ouch. nt

nt

[Barack_America]

26. Muslim heritage is nothing to be ashamed of.

The opinions of the Muslim world are nothing to scoff at.

One of the biggest challenges the next President will have will be extricating our troops from Iraq and dealing with the aftermath. If the Muslim world is predisposed to like and trust Obama, so much the better.

[Behind the Aegis]

34. Sounds reasonable.

This article is not all that surprising, nor unexpected. Of course, there are those who would use this against Obama, but more than likely, they already have an issue with African-Americans anyway...so fuck'em!

[Bonobo]

35. I love the headline: "Picking a President: Voices from the Arab World"!!!

That pretty much sums up what all Americans want, I think. A President chosen by the Arab World! Woohoo!

Fuck.

[knowledgeispwr]

40. Oh Lord...

This is NOT the sorta help/support Obama needs.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

42. I've thought about this

I think Barack Obama if elected would become a major superstar on the world stage, especially in the third world and in Europe. That would put a giant burden on his shoulders to deliver, however.

[smalll]

43. Kick for the lunchtime crowd. /nt