What did you think of U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to the Muslim world?

I have read on other threads how great his speech was for extending an olive branch to the Muslims. Asking "why can't we all just get along". I don't believe his motive is religious harmony. The mid-east is so important due to it's oil reserves, period. America is an oil driven economy, big oil dictates US mid-east policy, and have done so for the last hundred years. I feel his speech was symbolism without substance.

It's also interesting that Obama made reference to his father being Muslim. While campaigning for the presidency he described his father as being agnostic. Quite a difference between the two.

It's full of inaccuracies. For example:

Obama: "It was innovation in the Muslim community that developed the order of algebra"

No, the origins of algebra trace back to the ancient Babylonians. They were not Muslim.

Inspirational and comforting to Moslems throughout the world. A wake up call to those who cannot commit to a genuine two state solution. A commitment to Israel but with a tone that suggests, don't muck me around.

"It was innovation in the Muslim community that developed the order of algebra"

There is nothing inaccurate about this at all. He didn't say that the origins of algebra were Muslim. He said that the concept of algebra had been developed under Muslim influence. Which is true.

I know how much it must chap your hide to attribute anything positive to Muslims, but could you sound any more childish about it?

Or is this the part where we all call "French Fries" "Freedom Fries" again?

Obama's speech was poor in that it did nothing to represent the segment of Americans who despise everything about Islam -- a segment well-represented on JT.

I believe it riles most of the world when America produces a leaders like a Carter or Obama who appear to care a great deal about human rights and dignity -- raising the hopes of listeners in many countries -- and then follow those leaders up with out-of-control, psycho cowboys like Reagan and GW Bush. For example, Carter strongly condemned the brutality of the Iraqi dicatator, Saddam Hussein; Reagan sent emmisaries to shake his hand and offer him all kinds of support.

Obama's speech gives the impression that Dr. Jekyll is now forming US policy -- with the crazy Mr. Hydes yapping at his heels.

If you are with Obama,you'll like it.But if you're against him,you will not like it.

It is not in the job description of the President of the United States of America to counter negative stereotypes of Islam and Muslims in the U.S. and throughout the world. According to the speech, though, Obama seems to think so.

But then again, George W. Bush must've thought when he took the oath of office that something required him to be the defender of the Iraqi people, first and foremost, so there must be a secret fill-in-the-blanks presidential preference questionnaire that the ordinary citizenry is unaware of.

Anyway, resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a way that is agreeable to both sides in the foreseeable future is about as likely as Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara driving the lead bulldozer to demolish Yasukuni Shrine.

President Obama is trying to be all things to all people as he continues on his world celebrity tour, but he will find out over the next few years that this is not possible, and, ultimately, if there is not a lasting economic recovery in place before the mid-term congressional elections, he'll find the going much tougher at home, let alone what foreign policy challenges he encounters.

As POTUS, Obama has to maintain a strong air of diplomacy. This of course means mending the frayed relations with foreign powers. The polarizing with us or against us mentality is hurtful to say the least, because it assumes in absolutes that everyone thinks like us. We don't have to go very far to find the flaws in that logic. The only way to truly achieve peace is to reach agreements and understanding. Reaching out in the spirit of dialog so as to learn about one another is the only way to create that understanding. Hopefully, with understanding will come trust, then peace. From this speech, it seems like Obama understands this.

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain got Hitler to sign the meaningless "Munich Agreement" in 1938. Hitler was the leader, of course, of the Nazis. Conceptually speaking, the Nazis were the terrorists of the day.

Obama, in essence, spoke to the general Muslim population in my opinion. It would be similar to Chamberlain speaking to all of Europe in general back in 1938. Most of Europe (and most of the Muslim world) was OK. It was the Nazis that was the bad apple.

Now, if Obama personally met with Osama Bin Laden - today's Hitler in a way - that would have been something. Would it have meant something? Who knows.

I would like Sarge topoint out all of the inaccuracies since it was FULL of them.

yabits: Why is there a section of Americans who despise everything about Islam? I doubt they know very much about Islam at all. Personally, I think Islam is as silly as Christianity, if neither of those movements make forward progression. Just because some Americans despise Islam and some Muslims despise Christianity does not mean that we shouldn't reach for a peace. Peace will be attained by teaching people NOT to despise things especially while not having even a rudimentary grasp of them, and also while not realizing that there are extremists on both sides.

I cannot foresee which leader will follow President Obama. I cannot foresee whether his olive branch is motivated by oil interests. (Though why would anyone fight for an dying supply of energy when it's insanely obvious that we desperately need renewable energy.)What I do know is that we should be reaching out to one another as humans and trying to work out our differences. Perhaps President Obama will be known in history as a fraud or just another American politician. But it's already more progressive steps than in the recent past and is what the world needs. Is it everything the world needs? Is it 100% perfect? Will Obama save the world? No. But even if it's all just a hypocritical front, billions of people around the world are coming together (even if only a little) and recognizing some fundamental humanitarian rights and needs in our advanced society.

What do I think? I'm taking off my shoes.

Why is there a section of Americans who despise everything about Islam? I doubt they know very much about Islam at all

Why? Because we know enough about Islam. What we see we don't like.

Why would we want to know anymore about a culture and religion that danced in the street on 9-11 firing AK47's in the air yelling "GOD IS GREAT!!!" ?

billions of people around the world are coming together (even if only a little) and recognizing some fundamental humanitarian rights and needs in our advanced society.

The words of "O-blah blah bama" inspired ignorance.

The virulent Islamists don't live "in our advanced society" and they sure as hell aren't "coming together" to recognize "fundamental humanitarian rights" nausicaa. Dream on.

Why? Because we know enough about Islam. What we see we don't like.

I grew up in the most heavily Islamic-populated community in the US. From a quarter to one-third of my high school graduating class (650+) was of Middle Eastern descent. Plenty of Muslim families in the neighborhood, and lots of close Muslim friends. Picked up a lot of Arabic along the way. Anyway, from what I saw, I liked, with a few exceptions.

Why would we want to know anymore about a culture and religion that danced in the street on 9-11

Think about it: Nineteen men, armed with nothing more than box cutters and brilliant strategy, changed the course of history and, via the Patriot Act and other laws, caused us to challenge the fundamental structures of our so-called free society.

If you can detach yourself and look at the millions of innocent people the United States has killed along the way via collateral damage, 9/11 was just a drop in the bucket. We amplify it because it happened to us.

A speech of a true statesman. Welcome change from simply the ideological crap spewing from Bush for eight years -- his second inaugeral address for example.

I'm not sure how much his candor and commitment will reflect his administration's policy on the Middle East and the relations with Israel, but he showed the Muslim audience what would be desirable for the US to seek a better relationship with the Arab world.

Some JT posters cant quit amazing us. Keep on hating even your country because of the man on top.Even Fox is finding it hard to demonize with this speech.

It's full of inaccuracies. For example:

Obama: "It was innovation in the Muslim community that developed the order of algebra"

No, the origins of algebra trace back to the ancient Babylonians. They were not Muslim.

Ironically for you, Algebra is an Arabic word, and of course a lot of human development can be traced to older civilizations, you can even trace the invention of computing and calculating to older civilizations. It is not like admitting Muslim and Arabs, and Persians innovated and added up to the science that will make you less, that will just show you are humble and recognize others' achievements.

Indians, Arabs, Persians, Romans, Greeks, Babylonians, Assyrians, Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Japanese, Russians, Europeans and all others, everyone added to the knowledge we have today

It's a shame the speech was only directed at the less than 1% of Muslim extremists. Muslims, by religion are very peaceful and harmonious and do not need a lecture from an overly self-indulgent self-proclaimed world leader. Is it any wonder they dislike the west?

Hope Obama's speech will help narrow gap in relations with Muslims and non muslims. Present scenario can be eliminated only by overcoming misunderstandings which are base of all 'wars' . There are no extremists in Muslim but it is reaction to misconceptions the west have against Muslims. If these recationary muslims are extremist then who are IRA, Red Army, Cults in USA ?

There are no extremists in Muslim but it is reaction to misconceptions the west have against Muslims.

Ridiculous. Islam is at war with every religion on the planet - killing Jews in Israel;killing Christians in the Phillipines and in places like Nigeria;killing Buddhists in S Thailand;waging war against Hindus in India;occupying Orthodox Christian lands on Cyprus;and of course killing other Muslims in Pakistan and the Sudan and Iraq and Afghanistan...

Obama's speech was an exercise in appeasement.

It is possible that he did this to appeal to the average Muslim on the street in order to undermine popular Muslim support for extremist leaders who disparage America; however, he (and his naive speechwriters) set an extremely dangerous precedent by stating that Muslims in the West should be able to practice their religion as they see fit. He made this remark when speaking of the hijab but he did not say that it was limited to the wearing of the hijab. So does the freedom to practice one's religion as one sees fit include practicing child marriage or multiple marriage? Does it include executing apostates? Does it include striking one's wife in accordance with the Koran? Obama did not address these points. Surprise surprise.

Obama spoke of there being a mosque in every US state, again possibly to underscore for the average Muslim on the street that what their dictators tell them about America is not true. He failed to mention however, that churches and synagogues are forbidden in Saudi Arabia, for example. In fact, he praised the King of Saudi Arabia, its absolute ruler, as "wise" and "gracious". What else can this be except blatant sucking up?

He used extremely mild language when speaking of women's rights, limiting the discussion to education and the freedom to choose a traditional female role or to start a business. He did not mention women being banned from driving (Saudi Arabia); women being banned from running for president (Iran); girls being forcibly converted to Islam and then given away in marriage (Pakistan); 12 year old rape victims being stoned to death for adultery (Somalia); female genital mutilation (Egypt, among others);or the assassination of female police officers and actresses (Afghanistan).

He did not defend freedom of expression either, and he seemed to give himself a new presidential brief: to combat negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. I wait for the day when he will do the same for agnostics and atheists.

Obama admitted when speaking at Notre Dame that the pro-life and pro-choice movements had irreconcilable differences. He should acknowledge that a similar situation exists between Islam and the West. It is disingenuous and potentially dangerous to pretend otherwise.

He just wants to save money by reducing US military spending. His speech = please stop trying to kill us so we don't have to spend any more money killing you first.

He failed to mention however, that churches and synagogues are forbidden in Saudi Arabia, for example.

Why not state the facts, christians are allowed into saudi and in some compounds services are held.

Or the fact that the UAE is a muslum state and has churches, christmass garb all over the streets, and even easter egg hunts. So stop cherry picking your ME state to support your worthless claims, or why not get on a plane and visit some of these places you all like to call hell holes and and learn first hand instead of second rate faux news.

I lived in saudi for two years ( and not in some scared american compond) and was never once condemned or singled out for being a christian. Islam was never forced on me, and to tell the truth was treated better than I have ever been in japan for the last 17 years.

Mayuki: "Obama's speech was an exercise in appeasement"

Lord, oh, Lord!

@DXXJP:

Why not state the facts, christians are allowed into saudi and in some compounds services are held.

Firstly, I never said that Christians were not allowed into Saudi Arabia. That statement is not contained in my earlier post, so I have no idea why you felt the need to make that point.

Secondly, to pick up on your sentence: in "some" "compounds" church services are held. Again, I never disputed that. The fact remains however, that the services are on "compounds", separated from the rest of Saudi society, and even then, are only on "some" of them. Your words, not mine. Western Muslims do not have to attend services on "compounds".

Or the fact that the UAE is a muslum state and has churches, christmass garb all over the streets, and even easter egg hunts.

Again, I never said that the UAE did not have churches, but whatever. Christmas lights and Easter egg hunts might be very nice, but are nevertheless superficial elements of Christianity. Individual emirates of the UAE still places restrictions on non-Muslim religious activity.

So stop cherry picking your ME state to support your worthless claims,

The "claims" are not "worthless". They are simple facts. I'll say that again: facts, not claims. I chose a variety of ME, Asian and African states to show that problems are evident across the "Islamic world".

or why not get on a plane and visit some of these places you all like to call hell holes and and learn first hand instead of second rate faux news.

Firstly, I find it hilarious that you assume I never been to "some of these places" simply because you disagree with me.

Secondly, I never used the phrase "hell hole". Read my post again. Why all the drama?

Thirdly, I don't watch Fox news. I'm not American, and I don't even have a TV.

I lived in saudi for two years ( and not in some scared american compond) and was never once condemned or singled out for being a christian. Islam was never forced on me, and to tell the truth was treated better than I have ever been in japan for the last 17 years.

Congratulations! I'm happy for you! I like Japan though. I'm treated very well here.

@Sarge:

Mayuki: "Obama's speech was an exercise in appeasement"

Lord, oh, Lord!

It's too late for prayers Sarge!

Obamas speech to the Muslim world in Cairo was disgraceful. The word "appeasement" came to my mind as well. I remembered the former British Prime Minister who went to Munich and naiively tried to make peace with Hitler in 1939. He infamously waved a little piece of paper in the air as he returned from his trip, saying that all was well with the world and Hitler was a nice man - and within months Hitler invaded Poland the Second World War had begun. I think history is repeating itself with Obamas latest speech. He may have had a Muslim father, been raised for a few years in a Muslim country, and now claims to be a born-again Christian - but sadly his words and his actions give a different story.

He should read up on some history, and learn that you cannot appease evil. Extreme Islam hates anyone and anything that does not bow down to it. We are all "infidels" to them, and deserve death. How can any serious, intelligent person imagine that a statesman-like speech is going to do any good with such people? I am becoming more and more disappointed and disillusioned with President Obama. Im glad Im not American . . .

President of the United States Barack Hussein Obama's speech was brilliant. In it, he challenged both Americans and Muslims throughout the world to cast off their stereotypes of each other, he acknowledged the suffering of the Jews, particularly in view of the atrocities of the Holocaust, and reinforced America's commmitment to Israel, while at the same time holding both the Israelis and the Palstinians responsible for making peace, and never once did he "appease" or "apologize" to the Muslims.

President Obama is treating the Muslims the same as he treated the Republicans: sincerely extending the hand of friendship and partnership to them, but ready to act without their acceptance. He spoke directly to the Muslim people, telling them to reject the extremists in their midst. In short, he acted diplomatically, which is what our US generals have been saying was needed for years.

I thank God every day that I'm in a position to bolster the already-soaring support my fellow US troops give to President Obama instead of inventing ways to hate him (based on cherry-picking, misinforming the gullible, partisan politics, and/or racism). I'm honored to be in a position to directly serve the United States of America as opposed to being reduced to spewing easily-defeatable vitriol on a little-known and little-respected website.

In Saudi Women are denied the right to vote, denied freedom of employment, denied equality in marriage, and are forced to cover their bodies. This is why Michelle Obama did not go to Saudi Arabia along with President Obama. In March of 2008 a woman in Riyadh was murdered by her father for using Facebook. Where in the Muslim world does a free society or Representative form of government exist? According to a Journal of Democracy Article in 2002 there are none.

And when were women in the US allowed to vote??? Saudi has been a country for how long??

Denied employment? really from what jobs? You do know they have women business owners, or that there is now a woman minister.

Denied equality in marriage? So in japan women have what equality and when??

Forced to cover their bodies. Just so you know they only cover in saudi and rarely on vacation, but do you know why they where the abaiya?

Show us the link to the facebook murder.

See it these misconceptions, falsehood, and lies that make people belive this.

Im not saying everything is just rosy there but King Abdulla has been making changes, and bringing equality to women. Like said how long has saudi been a country, look it took over 200 years to let a black man become president, how long did the US enslave them or give them equal rights, it took how long for women suffrage in the US, When did the US stop being racist to all people, and when will it all end.

I remember when timmy blew up the building everybody said it was Iranians at first, and still we havnt learned.

This is truly a great thing for our nations image in the Islamic world. We have gone from a far right nation changing policy to a more diplomatic one. I am glad that our President is making this great leap.

I just do not know if he can heal the wounds that the Republicans left.

DXXJP at 04:51 AM JST - 7th June Show us the link to the facebook murder.

This story is an odd one every where I looked all it said was that a Saudi news agency report the story. But never giving the Saudi new agency. another odd part of the story is that the only legs this story has is on the anti Saudi sites and pro women blogs. No mainstream news outlet is or was carrying the story.

realist at 01:03 AM JST - 7th June Obamas speech to the Muslim world in Cairo was disgraceful. The word "appeasement" came to my mind as well.

What did he give the Muslim world with his appeasement New York, California? Please give a us little of your hidden far right wing information. Because what I read about the speech all he said was, "we are not your enemy" in his speech.

Oh that is right, the far right wing considers everyone an enemy.

realist at 01:03 AM JST - 7th June I remembered the former British Prime Minister who went to Munich and naiively tried to make peace with Hitler in 1939.

Wow how old are you, if you remember Chamberlain's trip to Germany that would make you very blood old! Did you serve in the war? Oh and by the way the Munich agreement was in 1938 not in 1939. But I will not hold that against you, you are very old and it might have slipped your mind.

realist at 01:03 AM JST - 7th June He infamously waved a little piece of paper in the air as he returned from his trip, saying that all was well with the world and Hitler was a nice man - and within months Hitler invaded Poland the Second World War had begun. I think history is repeating itself with Obamas latest speech.

Ah, I think you have a few things mistaken there, again will not hold it against you, your age and all.

You see, Nazi Germany was a country and Adolf Hitler was the leader of that country. Germany and the USSR invaded Poland to start WWII. Nazi Germany was not a whole peoples religion, I repeat not a whole peoples religion. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi's were mainly Christians yes, but they did not speak for the whole Christian world. Or did they, hm?

When our President spoke to the Muslim world he was speaking to many different peoples of many nations. He was not there a get a treaty of any form. He was just trying to tell the Muslims of the world that we are not the enemy.

I hope that helps you to understand a bit more about the history of the world. I mean no offense there just trying to help you with your age and all. BTW about how old are you 90ish? Wow I just hope that I can get to your age with the same clarity as you have.

realist at 01:03 AM JST - 7th June He may have had a Muslim father, been raised for a few years in a Muslim country, and now claims to be a born-again Christian - but sadly his words and his actions give a different story.

I did not know that he claimed to be a born-again, I thought he said he was a Christian. Check out his beliefs for yourself here is the link...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/januaryweb-only/104-32.0.html?start=2

realist at 01:03 AM JST - 7th June He should read up on some history, and learn that you cannot appease evil. Extreme Islam hates anyone and anything that does not bow down to it. We are all "infidels" to them, and deserve death.

After reading this it sounds as if you believe that our President was speaking only to Bin Laden and his terrorist. Or do you believe that all Muslims are evil extremist? Why do you hate Islam in general?

I hope you understand that almost 99% of all who follow the Islamic faith are peace loving people.

Oh wait I get it, you you fought in North Africa, that's it! Wow Bravo Zulu to you. But, most of North Africa fought with us. Wow I am a bit confused.

Do you believe that all Christians are good and saintly people?

realist at 01:03 AM JST - 7th June How can any serious, intelligent person imagine that a statesman-like speech is going to do any good with such people? I am becoming more and more disappointed and disillusioned with President Obama. Im glad Im not American . . .

That's it, you are British! Oh that answers everything! You must have fought in Iraq during World war II! Got it, now I understand!

BTW, if you are not American his policies will not affect you at all. Do you believe that America rules the world?

I think Obama's speech is a step in the right direction.

He should read up on some history, and learn that you cannot appease evil. Extreme Islam hates anyone and anything that does not bow down to it. We are all "infidels" to them, and deserve death. How can any serious, intelligent person imagine that a statesman-like speech is going to do any good with such people? I am becoming more and more disappointed and disillusioned with President Obama. Im glad Im not American . .

Nazis are political movement. Muslims are religious group. when people understand that?

Muslim can mean: 1-extreme Muslim. 2-moderate muslim. 3-secular muslim. 4-muslim by participation only. ...etc

There are no one leader or one party represent Muslims.

Muslims have different cultures as well.

Obama spoke to ordinary people, that can help, it can divide between extreme Muslims and moderate Muslims. depriving extremists from recruiting more extremists. Despite US has many military bases in Muslims countries, and been supported by many Muslims countries during the cold war, some people implies that all Muslims against the US or Europe.

I think the policy of classifying everyone as extremist or terrorist or enemy is a stupid policy that help terrorist and make them stronger. why doing that when you can with words rather than bullets achieve the same goal?

beside America is losing nothing if the president talk and nothing happened out of it, but it provides good intention and proves that the US is trying every method, not a warmonger.

If nobody went to Nazi Germany at the time, some would be claiming today, that the allies didn't try to solve things diplomatically.