Dear President Obama,
There has been so much
discussion in this country about what this election, your election, our
election, signifies for America.
May it be that it signals the healing of our racial wounds. Yet this is not just about us. It is
also about the world, and our place in the world community, and a return to an
ethic of sharing and generosity. I will focus my comments on the area that I
know best, the Muslim world.
Iraq: We have inflicted a
great violence upon Iraq, and as you have recognized, this was an unnecessary
war. Getting Iraq right will be key. You are familiar with Martin Luther King
Jr’s famed April 4, 1967, speech in Riverside Church. You can look at
virtually everything that King said about Vietnam and apply it to Iraq. The
first step in getting Iraq right is to begin by publicly admitting to
ourselves–and more importantly, to Iraqis, and the world community–that we made
a horrible mistake, that our error resulted in the deaths of thousands of
Americans, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and the wasting of untold
hundreds of billions of dollars.
Iran: Iran is a
complicated society, and it is not 1978 anymore. Since the revolution, Iran has
been home to the most sophisticated Islamic reform movement in the world.
Today, 70 percent of the Iranian population is under 30, and the overwhelming
majority of Iranians want to normalize relations with the United States.
President Bush alienated most Iranians by labeling Iran as part of an “Axis of
Evil.” Instead, engage and acknowledge the subtlety and nuance of this ancient
civilization.
Palestine/Israel: For Muslims worldwide
and Muslims in the United States, this is and has always been foreign policy
issue number one. The creation of Israel is seen by hundreds of millions of
Muslims as the result of colonial interventions in the Middle East, going back
to the Balfour Declaration of 1917. Israel has remained the single largest
recipient of US foreign aid over the last thirty years. Every scholar knows
that the current situation in Israel/Palestine is not tenable. No group of
people on Earth would voluntarily agree to live in the situation of occupation
and second-class citizenship that the Palestinians have had to endure for over
forty years.
There are no
easy solutions, for there is such a discrepancy of power between the two sides.
Yet if we move from being an ardent supporter of Israel at all costs to stating
that the dignity and well-being of both Palestinians and Israelis and the
security of both communities will be equal priorities for us, that will be the
beginning of the road toward healing. A two-state solution presents serious
challenges, none more important than the dozens of illegal Jewish settlements
in the Occupied West Bank. A one-state solution (one person, one vote) is
ultimately the fairest solution, maybe the only fair solution, but it would
mean giving up on the notion of a Jewish state, over that of a secular
democracy. Either way, dealing with significant issues like the fate of
Jerusalem as the symbolic capital of both peoples, the right of Palestinians
refugees to return, and the guarantee of exactly and identically the same set
of rights and responsibilities for both Jews and Arabs will be mandatory.
Afghanistan: The attention of much of the world community is focused on Iraq, but Afghanistan might present the more serious long-term problem. The re-Talibanization of Afghanistan is already underway, and it is vital to confront that. The last bits of al Qaeda will have to be uprooted.
Solutions
The solution begins when we realize that we need to change not just the impression of the United States, but also the reality of our presence in the world community. This was one of the great errors of the Bush administration. Immediately after 9/11, they hired a Madison Avenue advertising executive (Charlotte Beers) to serve as an undersecretary for public diplomacy. They simply do not understand that the reason much of the world came to hate our government is because of the policies of our government. They do not hate us (pace the pundits post-9/11) because we are “free,” “civilized,” and “democratic.” No, they hate our policies, because we have become synonymous with aggression, privilege, militarism, support of dictators, unilateral action, disregard for civilian life, and ultimately, eEmpire.
How to fix it? Change the impression of the United States by changing the policies of the United States. Take between 10 percent and 20 percent of the military budget, and redirect it toward building schools and hospitals worldwide, fighting poverty, training people in skills for a new globalized world, and providing relief from HIV/AIDS. Every penny of that money will give back dividends hundredfolds. Unlike in Iraq, where billions of dollars went to no-bid contracts for Halliburton and other companies, invest the money in local businesses. Follow that up with the largest deployment of American peace activists in history. Come up with a revamped version of the Peace Corps, where our best and brightest will want to devote two years of their life in going for paid internships to places around the world where our help is needed.
President-elect Obama, now is the time. Now is the time to build on the good will of the world community. The “fierce urgency of the now” that you spoke about so eloquently indeed is now. Lead us, and we will follow.
posted December 7, 2008 at 2:12 pm
You are obviously just a Muslim who wants to weaken America by weakening our military. The US gives more than enough aid to Islamic countries and all we get back is hate. It is a fact that Islam and Islamic world preaches hate towards non-Muslims. If Muslims wanted to change this they would of already. It is time to end Muslim immigration and all aid to Muslim countries. We owe them nothing.
These problems stemming from Islam have been going on long before the US even existed. You are not following anyone.
Here is an idea, how about the rich Muslim oil countries take care of the Islamic world?
posted December 7, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I wonder who could state that they know most about any of these things going on? I dare not make such a large and bold statement, lest I be knocked down by someone who knows it all! Wow. I am mixed at feelings and awaiting for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to guide my fingers, as I know it is coming. How dare we look to a president to fix things, how dare we place blame on former presidents and governments and things of such nature, in which we ourselves either voted or decided not to vote and put people in the places they are today! How dare we seek the change in someone else, rather than become the change we seek! How dare the comments of us admitting that we inflicted such grief on a nation and that we were wrong and spit in the face of those who have died in war and those who come back without legs and are expected to just fit right in and get a job and go to work! How dare! We do NOT have to agree with war, and we do NOT have to agree with our leaders decisions, but there is one thing that is just in this nation. We respect our nation’s decisions in hopes that our best interests are being watched over. Our government was written in the representation of Christianity. Freedoms are NOT free, that includes the freedom of religion, which is widely recognized in America, the free. How do we think it is free in America? and do we believe that all of our freedoms are free in other countries? How naive to think we can worship Christ anywhere we choose in the world! Though I will never become a closet Christ worshiper, I risk the furnace and the lion’s den, knowing that Christ is my salvation and my vindicator and my attorney for such things that mankind does to one another. All in the name of freedom.
Wow, now, what I simply wanted to state was it was quite interesting here that the part the writer of this Mr. Obama please letter, – I interpret a spat on the soldiers before they even get back, and yet, towards the end of the note – wow, “…Afghanistan might present the more serious long-term problem. The re-Talibanization of Afghanistan is already underway, and it is vital to confront that. The last bits of al Qaeda will have to be uprooted.” So what in God’s creation is being suggested here? Let’s decrease our military efforts and give all this money to all these well and good foundations to fix everyone’s every ache and pain, regardless of whether we are welcome in or not, regardless of when we are talked good or bad about, because humankind nature is to spit on everyone for anything, no matter what, to twist whatever the action is into some evil self-gratifying act in the first place. Wake up out of the religious dorm and recognize that we need not jeopardize our standards of protection for freedom, which also provide for ways of living and economy and dignity and pride (lest you forget where the civil service came from, or the go to war or go to jail, or those folks who “would have never made it without the service”). How much do you, my friend, pay on entertainment in just one little month’s time? How often do you go to the movies and provide million dollar movie contracts for people to “act.” How about sports-oh, where people work for the season, practicing the sport they love, so as to entertain you during the game and win the championship. Think. Then just give. Next time you buy your movie ticket, buy one for someone else. That’s a start. Trickle down…leave the national security to those who are more familiar with that. Unless you so do not appreciate America, then perhaps you might look for a one way plane ticket to somewhere else.
Father forgive me for any harshness that may come across here. Thank You my loving Father for the blessings that You continually pour down on America, the blessings and the favor that this country has. Thank You for the loving people who are here in this country and thank You for the opportunities that You constantly provide the American people to be able to give of ourselves, our monies, our lives, for what we feel is good and just. Father, forgive those few who go astray and violate Your will. I pray this in Christ Jesus name. Father forgive us for we know not what we do.
Sincerely His in Christ,
puzzlepeace
please, continually strive for more than good enough. make that effort and it will become second nature.
posted December 7, 2008 at 7:07 pm
May I even know what are these ramblings all about? It doesn’t even answer the question…
posted December 8, 2008 at 3:15 am
How much longer will you continue to profess the Bush regime’s “official story” of 11 Sept and ignore the overwhelming evidence to the contrary???
Many people understand that Cheney allowed 11 Sept to proceed on purpose.
Hijacked airliners flew all over the eastern U.S. for hours without any meaningful response nor pursuit!?
Our trillion-dollar air defenses were allegedly defeated by Osama bin-Forgotten & his 19 lackeys with box-cutters? Cheney just happened to be conducting similar war games simultaneously!? (Google it.)
A most dubious phenomena occurred at a building that housed the CIA, FBI, SEC, IRS, etc.: WTC-7 had minor damage & small, scattered fires, yet it imploded in a controlled demolition later in the day on 9/11. Larry Silverstein, the very over-insured leaseholder, said:
“I remember getting a call from the, er, fire department commander,
telling me that they were not sure they were gonna be able to contain
the fire, and I said, ‘We’ve had such terrible loss of life, maybe the
smartest thing to do is pull it.’ And they made that decision to pull
and we watched the building collapse.”
An airliner with a 125′ wingspan disappeared though a 16′ foot initial impact hole at the Pentagon. All clear videos of what blew-up the Pentagon are being withheld to this day! Why???
It’s time for all good men & women to speak out about the NWO/globalists, rather than be a gatekeeper of the truth!!! Wake-up everyone now!!!
posted December 8, 2008 at 7:22 am
Quote: “We have inflicted a great violence upon Iraq, and as you have recognized, this was an unnecessary war. Getting Iraq right will be key. You are familiar with Martin Luther King Jr’s famed April 4, 1967, speech in Riverside Church. You can look at virtually everything that King said about Vietnam and apply it to Iraq. The first step in getting Iraq right is to begin by publicly admitting to ourselves–and more importantly, to Iraqis, and the world community–that we made a horrible mistake, that our error resulted in the deaths of thousands of Americans, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and the wasting of untold hundreds of billions of dollars.”
Would Sindbad…
Would Sindbad be sad or glad
To be back in Baghdad?
Would he be happy
To stay amid boys and tanks?
Or rather say, “No, thanks! Bye!
I’ll fly to New York!”
Would he eat camel meat or pork
In New York?
Would he have milk and dates?
Or chips and Coke in New York?
Would he play the guitar?
Or the lute and flute in New York?
Would he study democracy at N.Y.U.?
Or tell the Arabian Nights in Jersey City?
Would he miss Layla in New York?
Would he like the people there
On Washington Square?
Would he fall in love in New York?
Would he say, “Get down, baby!”
Or, “If only you knew how much I care!”?
Would he go on air
And say, “Hi Bush and Blair!
No one’s lost, no one’s won.
Stop the war! And let’s move on!”
posted December 8, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Your damned system times out much too quickly for a well composed thoughtful response to the wing-nut conspiracy theories spelled out above.
posted December 8, 2008 at 6:24 pm
This is the twilight zone.
Omid Safi is absurd. Iraq was not unnecessary.
Perhaps he approved of Saddam’s rape rooms.
Perhaps he approved of the tons of bones of the dead.
No, Omid, Obama is president because of a moral
collapse in our country and a press that asked him
not one hard question. He wasn’t even born here,
and ran a campaign based upon lies about himself
and those close to him.
He should not take office, and he will be exposed
as an empty suit, just as Islam is an empty suit
religion that gains power through intimidation
and deceit.
posted December 8, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Omid’s history of Israel is challenged.
His attitude toward the Jew is that of
all her enemies.
If Obama takes his advice, God’s hand
will be forever withdrawn from our
country.
Omid would have been more constructive
to call Obama on his open support for
perversion. That is supposedly anathema
to the Muslim world, but it looks like if
Obama undercuts Israel, his radical
support of immorality will get a mulligan
from Omid.
posted December 10, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Thanks for expressing the hopes of ordinary Muslims so clearly. I especially like the suggestion of diverting one tenth of the military budget to world aid programs. I think of the vast goodwill generated by US forces helping with earthquake relief in Indonesia. It was a powerful strategic blow against religious division and for friendship between nations.
The solution to Israel’s security, as you point out, will be similar to what happened in South Africa. But that will only happen when Muslims embrace a more powerful non-violent resistance to inequality.
posted November 3, 2010 at 6:26 am
There is no democracy in Israel as a state is illegitimate and illegal and not recognized
Evidence of this if anyone wanted to write a comment in the Israeli websites
Does not allow him or be there are many obstacles to prevent him from writing a comment The reasons for Arab-Israeli conflict is the occupation of Palestine in 1948.
Palestine Arab Islamic state like the rest of the Arab and Islamic states surrounding
Them. Means that there are Jews and Zionists in Palestine a big mistake, because this entity
Zionist is not consistent with the surrounding area (such as language, customs, traditions and religion)
The only solution to end the Arab-Israeli conflict is the expulsion of Jews from Palestine
All of Palestine. The Jewish people will not rest and will not feel comfortable and stability
But if it gets out of Palestine and the Middle East completely. If people continue to
Jews in Palestine and the Middle East, the death and destruction will continue.
Palestine Arab Islamic state and will remain