The Rise of Obama in Cairo
Ismail Imadudeen
June 07, 2009
“I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.” Obama June 4th 2009.
With these bright and clever statements President Obama started his speech in Cairo, the heart of the Middle East. What some Americans can not imagine is the kind of surprise and admiration that the ordinary Egyptian man felt when hearing that very first paragraph. This paragraph, indeed, opened the mind and hearts of the ordinary people here to listen to a man they perceive as a symbol, rather than the president of the most powerful country in the world. The common Egyptian people perceive Obama as a symbol of human struggle for justice and equality; a symbol of dedication and self reliance. In fact, the election of President Obama in the USA, has, in it self, changed many views here about America, and almost every body, whether pro or anti, recognized that there is some kind of change is taking place, but, I should say, no one has ever imagined how intelligent, well-educated and energetic Obama will be.
The most important thing about Obama is that he can get people around him; as he is believed to be culturally sensitive, an absolute opposite to the former president of the US. Obama supported the USA strongest ally, i.e. Israel, with the strongest words that can be said about such relation, and where, in the heart of the Muslim world, when he said: “America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied,” and yet, no one felt offended or assaulted, as his intelligence and remarkable balanced approach lead him to say: “So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own,” a statement that no single Arab or Muslim could have imagined to come from an American President, and every body knows how powerful the pro-Israel’s lobby in the USA is. But it was the truth, and nothing is bad about telling the truth; when you tell the truth, everyone must listen; some people will not like that, but the majority modest ordinary peace loving human beings will listen with open minds and hearts.
Obama made it clear from Cairo that, the Arabs or Muslims mustn’t, unrealistically, imagine that the USA would break its ties with Israel, but he made it clear that those ties will not make him biased, and that he will work for the people of Israel and Palestine, for peace and prosperity.
An interesting thing about Obama’s visit to Egypt is that many Egyptians discovered the stunning resemblance between Obama and the famous Tot Ankh Amon, the ancient Egyptian king who ruled Egypt between 1325-1334 BC. It was more astonishing when we saw Obama on the TV so enjoyed in the Pyramids, walking and climbing the stones, like he has some connection with that history or, say, a descendent of the pharaohs! In fact, when Obama concluded his visit to the Pyramids his helicopter flew right above my house, and you wouldn’t believe the kind of excitement and joy that we got for just seeing and hearing his helicopter.
Another beautiful coincidence is that the beginning of the month of June marks the anniversary of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt; the Holy Family came to Egypt, as it is the land of peace and security, and so as to bless our beautiful country forever. The timing of Obama’s visit and outstanding speech has just matched that holy occasion so as to assure the message of God over the centuries that Egypt was, and will be the land of peace.
With these bright and clever statements President Obama started his speech in Cairo, the heart of the Middle East. What some Americans can not imagine is the kind of surprise and admiration that the ordinary Egyptian man felt when hearing that very first paragraph. This paragraph, indeed, opened the mind and hearts of the ordinary people here to listen to a man they perceive as a symbol, rather than the president of the most powerful country in the world. The common Egyptian people perceive Obama as a symbol of human struggle for justice and equality; a symbol of dedication and self reliance. In fact, the election of President Obama in the USA, has, in it self, changed many views here about America, and almost every body, whether pro or anti, recognized that there is some kind of change is taking place, but, I should say, no one has ever imagined how intelligent, well-educated and energetic Obama will be.
The most important thing about Obama is that he can get people around him; as he is believed to be culturally sensitive, an absolute opposite to the former president of the US. Obama supported the USA strongest ally, i.e. Israel, with the strongest words that can be said about such relation, and where, in the heart of the Muslim world, when he said: “America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied,” and yet, no one felt offended or assaulted, as his intelligence and remarkable balanced approach lead him to say: “So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own,” a statement that no single Arab or Muslim could have imagined to come from an American President, and every body knows how powerful the pro-Israel’s lobby in the USA is. But it was the truth, and nothing is bad about telling the truth; when you tell the truth, everyone must listen; some people will not like that, but the majority modest ordinary peace loving human beings will listen with open minds and hearts.
Obama made it clear from Cairo that, the Arabs or Muslims mustn’t, unrealistically, imagine that the USA would break its ties with Israel, but he made it clear that those ties will not make him biased, and that he will work for the people of Israel and Palestine, for peace and prosperity.
An interesting thing about Obama’s visit to Egypt is that many Egyptians discovered the stunning resemblance between Obama and the famous Tot Ankh Amon, the ancient Egyptian king who ruled Egypt between 1325-1334 BC. It was more astonishing when we saw Obama on the TV so enjoyed in the Pyramids, walking and climbing the stones, like he has some connection with that history or, say, a descendent of the pharaohs! In fact, when Obama concluded his visit to the Pyramids his helicopter flew right above my house, and you wouldn’t believe the kind of excitement and joy that we got for just seeing and hearing his helicopter.
Another beautiful coincidence is that the beginning of the month of June marks the anniversary of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt; the Holy Family came to Egypt, as it is the land of peace and security, and so as to bless our beautiful country forever. The timing of Obama’s visit and outstanding speech has just matched that holy occasion so as to assure the message of God over the centuries that Egypt was, and will be the land of peace.
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