Picking a U.S. President: Voices From the Arab World
Obama Emerges as the Middle East Favorite for future U.S. president.
By LARA SETRAKIAN
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 10, 2008
They may not have a vote, but civic-minded people in the Middle East are watching the U.S. presidential race closely, and some have already chosen their favorite candidate.
“My favorite is unquestionably Sen. [Barack] Obama. He presents a new face of America to the Middle East, and to the world at large,” Hafed Al Ghwell, a Libyan-American with the Dubai School of Government, told ABC News.
“I think [Obama] is capable of restoring the image of America as a beacon of democracy,” said Fadi Salem, a Syrian engineer, also with the DSG.
The Illinios Democrat seems to have captured the hearts, minds and newspaper pages of the Middle East.
Even before winning in Iowa, Obama appeared to be the local favorite, as evidenced in the region’s English language press. An op-ed in Egypt’s Daily News called him “a breath of fresh air.” Another, in the Daily Star of Lebanon, said he is “a global candidate for a global age.”
“To see an African-American come this close to the White House, less than 50 years after the end of segregation … is an accomplishment for which all Americans can be proud,” wrote an editorial in Arab News, a Saudi Arabian newspaper. “Democrats, in particular, must quietly feel glad that the days of the Birmingham Barons and Bull Connor are behind the party.”
Though Obama is, himself, a Christian, his father’s Muslim heritage, and his own multiracial makeup, are seen as a huge plus a sign to many here that he may be able to understand the region and what it would take to achieve peace and stability.
In one editorial, Lebanese political analyst Chibli Mallat pointed out that the name Barack is short for “Mubarak,” an Arabic word, meaning “the blessed one.” In a point of unsolicited advice, Mallat suggested Obama should highlight, not bury, that heritage.
“You should be proud of your Muslim legacy,” wrote Mallat. “Make it a central plank of your campaign to become world leader. There is no contradiction between this and the Christian convictions you have. … Become a uniquely ecumenical president, in a world increasingly in the throes of religious strife.”
October 4th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Lol no, unless he makes all Americans convert to Islam we will still **** each other. To them were infidels plain and simple.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Many in the Middle East might like him better than others. I wonder if others would consider it almost a capital crime to have a Muslim father and become a Christian.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
No. I do not trust him.
Would he really have Americas best interest at heart? What was he taught being of Muslim roots? The school he went to was supposed to be pretty radical. How is he supposed to be trust worthy is my question.
He says he is Christian but what Christian morals and beliefs does he really support?
October 8th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
And now we should elect a president based on who the people in the Middle East think would make the best leader. I don’t think so, much as I would **** to I would vote for McCain over Obama.