President Barack Obama who conesses to have Muslims relatives and who
comes from a Muslim father has numerous times; both verbally and in
writing painted Muslims with a kind and appreciative brush. He has
described Muslims as nice, talented, civil and agreeable people.
His resolve and decision to utter his full name with the middle name
Hussein during the oath taking ceremony as president speaks for his
conviction and strength of character. Perhaps he has a laudable fondness
for the Muslims whom he thinks were as peace living, law abiding and
hardworking people within the United States as other were. How far can
he go? He is doing what he can possibly do for the Muslims. He cannot
declare Islam as the religion of the US. Indeed Muslims’expectation are
unrealistic and imprudent. The Muslim detractors of Barack Obama cannot
visualize that he has brought about a marked change in United States’
policy and postures towards the Muslims? Not long ago, it was almost a
treasonable act to have any kind or contacts with Iran unless that
country would succumb to untenable pre drawn conditions. America
remained on the war path with Iran labeling it an evil country that was
making nuclear weapons to be used against Israel.
The relations between Iran and the United States were at their lowest
during President Bush presidency. It was quite conceivable that if
United Stated had succeeded in Iraq and has stabilized her occupation
there, the next target would have been Iran. Such was the nature of the
one sided American animosity against Iran. Now compare that with Obama’s
strategy. Obama has never punitively mentioned Iran’s progressing
nuclear technology.
On the contrary he has chosen parleys to prevail upon Iran to sort out
the vexatious issues between the two countries. Iran is getting the
American favorable attention to the extent that her cooperation might be
sought for obtaining the desired goals in Afghanistan. It is possible
that the supplies to NATO forces in Afghanistan might be rerouted
through Iran. Iran is now much closer to America and the west Europe
than what it was ever since the clerical regime came into power.
Obama’s outreach to the Muslim bloc in pivoted on building of what he
says a relationship of mutual respect and sovereign equality In case of
Pakistan, the arm twisting policy has been replaced by a process of
negotiations and appeasement. With Pakistan, his administration is
trying to build up a new understanding largely based on giving a free
hand and enhanced yet unfettered economic and military aid to Pakistan.
Pakistan might be and is fighting a proxy war for America in the past.
But, of late, in the wake of Swat events, this war on relgious militancy
has become Pakistan’s own war. So even if America leaves this region or
gives no aid, Pakistan would still have to counter this threat of
surging fundamentalism. The new American administration unlike the
former is well aware of Pakistan’s limitations and therefore has stopped
forcing her to do more. American emissaries have been visiting Pakistan
during the past several months and their attitude and approach has been
rather conciliatory, mild, persuasive and friendly.
With regard to the Isarel-Palestinain conflict, America under the
previous administrations has been stubbornly partial and unabashedly
partisan in favor of Israel. Obama’s first priority after taking office
was to sent an emissary to the Middle East for initiating serious
deliberations to address this most intractable issue of the present
times. He has steadfastly held on to his elections commitment of
recalling American troops from Iraq. He has been a consistent and
resolute opponent of Iraq war. Hamas or Palestinians are no more
outrightly dubbed as terrorists.
As a matter of fact this blame game of holding others responsible for
the ills and predicaments of the Islamic world should now end.The Muslim
regimes are either autocracies or monarchies. Despite having enormous
riches and resources, Muslims polities are backward and least
enlightened.
