Muslim Reaction to Obama Inauguration Call
Change in America Expected to Mobilize Muslim Youth
Jan 20, 2009
Millions of people today emotionally watched the son of a black immigrant from Africa shatter the race frontier. America finally “changed” when Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th president. Energized by a passionate youth movement driven by the desire to break free from the shackles of stale governance, all indications tell that the entire world is bracing for change too.
Islam was with Obama as he took the oath of office, from his middle name Hussein, to the hopes and aspirations of every Muslim in the planet. Parallels were even made by a CNN anchor when he compared the millions of people in the Mall to the millions of Muslims at Haj. But it was Obama’s words that touched a chord with Muslims watching history unfold.
“To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
It is not going to be America that will change the Muslim world. The change will come from within. There are many wounds to heal -plenty inflicted by the West, including the essence of the Middle East conflict, continued political, military, and economic support of terrorist states like Israel, selective manipulation of democracy, and the smearing of Muslim dignity in Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib, and all Western airports, to name a few.
Muslims today are reminded to return to the past in order to look to the future. Obama’s link to Abraham Lincoln on political and religious issues has been made clear during inaugural celebrations. But for the Muslim world, the link has been forgotten -sometimes obscured, often distorted, by extremists or deceitful leaders. Islam -the religion of peace- has always stressed the value of respect for the dignity of individuals. “The best among you is the best towards people,” the Prophet once said. Bilal, a black slave set free by the Prophet, called believers to prayer. A slave’s son commanded the army. Jihad never meant to kill innocent lives but rather struggle to be your best, with your family, your neighborhood, your community, your nation. Those are the forgotten values that the youth will turn to when they set about to rebuild their broken nation.
Obama today has re-energized Muslims, a youthful world fueled by a new, imaginative understanding of citizenship, a modern definition of Muslim citizens united by Islam ideals of peace, equality, justice, freedom, and inclusion. Obama has challenged us to rethink our existence, by hope not fear, and dared us to dream, of unity not conflict and discord.
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