PostHeaderIcon Divided reactions to Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo

6/06/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post




US President Barack Obama who said he came to Cairo, Egypt to find a new beginning between the United States and the Muslims of the world, based on “mutual interest and respect” got mixed reactions from his audience worldwide during his speech on June 4, 2009:

"I think President Obama's speech had a positive meaning. However, we hope it will not become a mere slogan but be followed up in concrete terms," ---KH Salahuddin Wahid, Indonesian Cleric. Antara News Agency. www. Chinaview.net (06.05/09 Tong, X)

"No American president has ever gone out of his way to reach out to the Muslim world in the way that President Obama has. We applaud that. But our applause is discreet rather than rapturous for these are as yet mere words. Were we ever to see all -- or any -- of them transition from rhetoric to reality then the applause would thunder across the world, and bring together the hands of every faith."---The News (Pakistan) Rhetoric and Reality (editorial) www.rferl.org (06/05/09)

"His naivete can be dangerous,” said Aliza Herbst, West Bank Settler. Huffington Post (06/04/09 Gutkin, S)

"This has made him close to the heart of the people. Our people like the person who is honest and address them with frankness and opens his heart and says good words, but not without action," said Salah Mansour, Café manager, Cairo, Egypt VOA News (06/05/09, Desvarieux, J)

"It's a public relations address more than anything else," said Mohamed Habib, deputy leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. Reuters. (06/05/09 Alexander, D; Blair, E; Nakhoul. S)

“I feel that the speech was balanced and offered a new vision of rapprochement regarding relations with Islamic states. [His speech shows that the US] will deal with the region's issues with a sense of balance. This includes the Palestinian question, the end to Israeli settlements, Palestinian rights, which must be respected. “----Amr. Moussa, Head of the Arab League.Rhttp://news.bbc.co.uk (06/04/09)



“His bloody messages were received and are still being received by Muslims, and they will not be concealed by public relations campaigns or by farcical visits or elegant words," said Ayman al-Zawahri, al-Qaida's No. 2 in criticizing Obama’s upcoming message. AP (06/02/09, Youssef, M)

"The nations of this part of the world ... deeply hate America…Even if they give sweet and beautiful (speeches) to the Muslim nation “ said Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as reported by Reuters. www.npr.org (06/04/09 Holzma, T)

"It's some of the biggest pile of horseshit I've had to listen to in years.. and I still don't understand what's "historica"l about it?!!"---Hossam el Hamalawy, Egyptian leftist blogger. Guardian.co.uk (06/04/09)

"The Islamic world does not need moral or political sermons. It needs a fundamental change in American policy," said MP Hassan Fadlallah of Lebanon's Hezbollah. Reuters. (06/05/09 Alexander, D; Blair, E; Nakhoul. S)

“Obama has the intention to build goodwill with Muslims worldwide. But so far he is just an actor. This is just a spectacle. The dialogue is good. But if the policy doesn't change, nothing will change." - Dian Teja, 25, watching the speech at a café in Jakarta, Indonesia. www.politicsdaily.com ( 06/04/09 Kraskin, M)

“I think on human rights there were many things that were commendable... but it is disappointing that when he talked about democracy in the Muslim world he wasn't more specific about some of the problems.”---Eric Goldstein. Human Rights Watch. http://news.bbc.co.uk (06/04/09) (Photo Credit: Alex Johnson; Peter Gutierrez x 2)=0=

============================================================
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Blog Archive

Topics/Categories

Feedjit Live Blog Stats

Topics/Categories

Add to Technorati Favorites

Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 74

Loading...

ABS-CBN News

Loading...

GMA News.tv

Loading...

Philippine Commentary

Loading...

Inquirer Breaking News

Loading...

Blogger Template created by AVGWEB.