Obama’s speech to the Muslim world

June 4, 2009 at 4:52 pm (Uncategorized)

Obama’s speech to Muslims around the world must have a resonance, as it appears conciliatory in its tone. It seeks to reconcile the US with the rest of the Muslim world after eight years of Bush Administration (2001-2009) that witnessed an escalation of hatred towards the USA following the successive invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The words Obama used like quotations from the Koran ( to which he referred four times)and Islamic expression like “assalaamu alaykum” , “azaan ” and “Mohammed (peace be upon him) ” is a good public relation strategy to have more effect on the Muslim audience.

However, it will take time for the US and the Muslim world to have deep trust. The US will always be worried about the existing Muslim fundamentalists which it sees as a time-bomb that can explode anywhere at anytime . The extremists will view Obama’s speech as a ploy to reinforce the US interests in the Muslim world. It’s sugared with sweet words for sour acts.

On the whole Obama has carefully chosen his words and said what the majority of Muslims want to hear from him. It remains to see how he can enact his dream of an ideal relationship with the Muslim world where there is so much to do to eradicate the negative views many Muslims have towards the USA.

Here is the full transcript of his speech