President-elect Barack Obama gestured during a news conference in Chicago, Thursday. He plans to deliver a major speech in an Islamic capital, perhaps within the first 100 days of his presidency. (Charles Dharapak/AP)
Obama plans major speech in Muslim world to ‘reboot’ America’s image abroad
How Obama addresses sensitive issues of democracy and human rights could help set the tone for efforts to distinguish himself from President Bush’s administration.
By Howard LaFranchi | Staff Writer/ December 11, 2008 edition
Washington
During the campaign, President-elect Obama put the goal of repairing America’s image abroad – and in particular in the Muslim world – at the top of his foreign-policy agenda. Mr. Obama began defining how he intends to do that this week by discussing his plans to deliver a major speech in an Islamic capital, perhaps within the first 100 days of his presidency.
Obama’s plan, still in the formative stages, immediately set off speculation over where the new American president would choose to deliver his message and what he would say.
“He has to develop how he plans to support and encourage democracy and human rights,” says Radwan Masmoudi, president of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy in Washington. “It is something Muslims in general care deeply about, but it was used and abused by the [Bush] administration.”
In an interview published Wednesday in the Chicago Tribune, Obama said such a speech would take advantage of “a unique opportunity to reboot America’s image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular.”
Obama said he would convey a message of no-tolerance toward terrorism, while emphasizing the values America wants to share with the world.
Obama did not indicate where he might give the speech, but snap speculation by some experts centered on Cairo. Egypt is a US ally, and a traditional center of Muslim culture. At the same time, the country is governed by an authoritarian regime – a point that would make it a bold setting for Obama to make the case for democracy in the Muslim world.
But Mr. Masmoudi recommends either Istanbul, Turkey; or Casablanca, Morocco. Choosing Istanbul would symbolize a desire to bridge the economic, political, and perception gaps between the West and the Muslim world, he says.
Casablanca would demonstrate an interest in going “deeper into the heart of the Muslim world,” while offering the added advantage of being in an Arab country – since, as Masmoudi says, the issue of resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would also have to figure into the speech.
As for how Obama might erase the taint of the Bush administration’s aim of spreading democracy in the Muslim world, Masmoudi says, “He has to say the US has no intention of imposing a model, but it does support the people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy.”
Comments
2. ked | 12.11.08
My vote for location is not a major Muslim capital, but Malé, the capital of the Maldives. It’s a largely peaceful, liberal Muslim nation that just held its first democratic elections, selecting a former political prisoner as leader. It’s not a terrorist breeding ground, and the Maldivians don’t hate the US (or at least they didn’t in ‘01 and ‘02 when I visited last).
Plus, the island nation’s very existence is threatened by global warming, and the country has quite eco-conscious tourism policies, so the environment can be a focus of the speech, and not just politics.
And visiting there beats the **** out of most of the other options, plus he can swing by Indo on his way.
3. Jaque LeMure | 12.11.08
Having lived overseas in Lebanon and traveling in Islamic countries, I do believe there needs to be greater understanding between the U.S. and Muslim Regimes. Obama may well be the one to help remove some of the fear and prejudice that exists on both sides. I am convinced that most Muslims desire peace as do the general populations of most every country. Obama must drive a hard bargain however with Islamic leaders to stamp out the roots of terrorism in their own Muslim lands.
This is not easily done, since terrorists use Islamic fundamentalism to fuel their fires. Hopefully Obama will honor Arab hospitality, generosity, and benevolence. Hopefully he will also help to remove some of the Arab fears that their moral principles as well as their lands are being devoured by the west. Hopefully Arab leaders will live up to their faith by removing radicals from their midst. If Obama can be the catalyst for this kind of Hope, maybe his campaign theme was not so bad after all.
4. Ted Mooney | 12.11.08
Istanbul has been where East meets West for 5000 years. The perfect setting.
5. walters | 12.11.08
Way to go OBAMA! By putting forth a good effort we may get better results from these people. I do think however I would have a plan “B”. I am not a great fan of lying G. Bush but he could not possibly have created all the problems these muslims have and they are bushwackers. Car bombs, human bombs,women and children killers ect.So called clerics leading all this? You can ask the fox in the hen house to stop,but if the fox keeps killing sooner or later the neighbor will have to stop the fox. Plan “B” has to be arond the corner!Fox goes back in the hole OBAMA?
7. John | 12.11.08
Oh this is going to do a lot of good. They hate us anyway. Add more fuel to the fire. If we just drop one big bomb we sure could wipe a lot of them off the face of this earth.
8. dragonfly777 | 12.11.08
Well, well. Here the truth comes out. Obambie is a Muslim sympathizer. All you Messiah lovers are in for a rude awakening. This Chicago Muslim will tank us. He will keep us paying oil money to foreign nations who hate us and will use our own money to bring our demise. He is nothing but rhetoric and stage show. He has no substance but to be a rock star. This will be a costly lesson for us.
9. Bonnie | 12.11.08
It’s a start, and of course there will be the predictable negative nabobs and conspiracy nuts, but we need to get things moving if we are to have any chance at all at repairing the damamge of the past. The people of the world are also willing to have a USA “honeymoon” right now, so lets send the best person to make a legitimate case for we can do better. We have to be a better class of people of the world for others to take us seriously. We need to be a better person.
10. Dr. Runoko Rashidi | 12.11.08
Morocco would make an ideal forum for President Obama. Morocco combines the African, Arab, Berber, and Muslim worlds in a wonderful harmony, and is the home of a new and dynamic young king that compliments Obama and his vision of change.
I’ve been to Morocco ten times now and have very much fallen in love with the place. A part of it is exotic and new and exciting and fun; another part is ancient and mysterious. All of it is fascinating. It has an allure and a dyamic magnetism. It is beautiful and safe with incredibly friendly people who pride themselves on their hospitality.
I cannot help but think that President Obama would love Morocco as much as I do.
Obama and Morocco–a perfect match!
11. Hassan Samrhouni | 12.11.08
Here is why It should be Morocco
• What do you call an Arab, Muslim and African country who was the first to recognize the United States constitution? Kingdom of Morocco
• What do you call a moderate, tolerating, peaceful country who is the strongest ally to the United States in the region? Kingdom Of Morocco.
• What do you call Obama’s first speech in Morocco after his inauguration?
A historical moment.
Over 200,000 strong, one of the fastest growing communities in the USA, Moroccan Americans dominantly Democrats are inviting President Elect Omaba to Make Morocco the home for his first speech.
Morocco is the ideal country to launch a message to the Muslim world. A peace loving country with a respected voice in the region, Morocco is a long time friend of the United States and would be proud to host President Elect Barack Obama in this historical event.
Mr. President elect Obama, please accept our invitation. Not only we support your vision for change, but we are ready to help you make it happen. Let this speech in Morocco be the start of a new day for Muslims around the world. Let us reject terrorism and send a strong message to all Muslims in this day when Barack will speak to the world from the nation of peace and tolerance; Morocco.
Hassan Samrhouni
Founder of Obama to Speak in Morocco
13. Shadow | 12.11.08
“He has to develop how he plans to support and encourage democracy and human rights,” says Radwan Masmoudi, president of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy in Washington. “It is something Muslims in general care deeply about”
i literally shot coffee out my nose when i read this. ask Muslim women how important human rights are to them?
14. Dory | 12.11.08
As a Christian Lebanese-American, I have to say that the USA needs to repair its image to many people in the world and to the muslims as well. But repairing the image does not happen by speeches but by facts. USA is a great country but for some reason it was not able to show its greatness to the world. Perhaps it is its foreign policy that caused this wrong image. Ihave to say it did not start with Bush and it will not end by a speech. It is going to take alot of work for us to show the real America to the world and especially to the muslims. The rest is for them (the muslims) to decide what they want to see. If they dont want to recieve the new image, then nothing can be done.
15. Jiz | 12.11.08
Let history be witness, resolution of understanding will save lives on planet earth. Mr Obama, if he wants to prove effective, if he want to prove worth the change, must desolate his enemies by deeper understanding be befriending neutral entities that have been swaying away from us due to lack of our attention.
This is single, golden chance for Mr Obama to restore american image, as the planet’s outlook is akin to fragility like never before…
16. Keeran | 12.11.08
I think it should be Pakistan because that’s where people have the deepest misunderstanding and that’s where innocent people (being un educated and poor) get brain washed easily by manipulators and masterminds of terror to perform attrocities against innocent humanity. It would be a bold statement in the face of those who spread hate.
17. Mohamed Said Ouafi | 12.12.08
Only Morocco will be the right place to deliver such speech:
We are Africans, Arabs, muslims.we are the country of tolerance Jews Christians and Muslims are cohabitating together for centuries our geographical location makes Morocco a perfect bridge between the western world and the rest of the world
18. Andrew Heart | 12.12.08
There is no need to think further. Istanbul is the ‘natural’ choice for the speech.
20. Chris | 12.12.08
Ask yourselves. Name one way Christians have benefited from interfaith dialogue. They have not and Obama’s words are not going to change a thing.
Muslims are the ones who should be coming to us saying that THEY want to change, but that will never happen. Face the facts Islam is not changing and Islam is no friend of Christianity. It is time to end all Muslim immigration.
21. kads chowdhury | 12.12.08
ISLAM will rule the world.
The American nation realises how great Islam is and they will soon succumb to our mighty spiritual zeal.
22. Driss R. Temsamani | 12.14.08
What an excellent idea and I welcome President Obama to consider the the support of the Moroccan Americans, a 200,00 + growing community who based on the 2008 Pre-Election Survey, are 69% Democrats.
Morocco is an old friend of the US and a respected Muslim country in the Region.
The perfect place. The perfect time. Yes you can Mr. President speak in Morocco.
Driss R. Temsamani
23. Akinyemi | 12.14.08
This is a great chance for President Obama to make a significant difference (change) in American foreign policy and image. I think he should make it right in the heart of the Muslim World which is in Pakistan. Pakistan is not really a US ally so it will send a message to the world that under the New America America is ready for a change and he should also reiterate America’s stand on terrorism. Subsequently, i think more unconditional aid should be given to countries within that axis of the world.
24. Paul G. Overend | 12.15.08
A reboot of America’s image with those people? Why the heck bother?! They don’t seem that concerned with their image with us. Not counting the thousands of our people murdered in 2001 let’s look back over the previous thirty years and just look at the number of our citizens murdered by them. If it wasn’t for the oil in the region who would really associate with them anyway? Their populace seems worthless. We should under NO circumstances water down our attitudes, beliefs or positions just to placate their rabble and to provide the new boy with a nice photo-op when he takes office.
25. Bo Danker | 12.15.08
What an excellent entre into the larger world. And an opportunity to broach the subject of an apology for the Iraq War, while at the same time delivering a sane rationale for continuing the Afghan War. T. Mooney is right, East has met West in Istanbul for 5000 years - and Turkey remains a natural ally of ours while a valued member of the Arab world. It is high time the rest of the world see America as a leader among equals, and that citizens of the USA see themselves as part of something greater than this country alone.
26. Ernest Adams | 12.15.08
Obama cannot deliver his speech in Mecca; only Muslims are allowed into Mecca.
Mr. Overend, the number of Muslims killed by Americans in last 8 years vastly outweighs the number of American killed by Muslims in the last 30. The most conservative estimates put the death toll in Iraq (which had nothing to do with 9/11) at 90,000.
You might find it comforting to bury your head in the sand, but Islam is one of the most important religions in the world and the enormous majority of its adherents are peaceful. To insult them needlessly, as you do, is both unjust and unwise policy.
I think it needs to be Cairo — the suitable combination of American ally, center of religious thought, and an Arab country.
27. schome@mac.com | 12.16.08
I don’t care where the Rock Star speaks in the Muslim world, so long as he stays there.
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1. Andrew Alberg | 12.11.08
I’ve waited for a long time to see some sanity in our government concerning foreign relations. Hope is on the horizon.