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VOL. V NO. 12, May 22-June 04, 2009

Obama Addresses Muslims in Cairo

A recent Gallop poll shows that approval of US leadership is up in some Arab countries and in the case of Egypt, it increased by 19 percent. The improvement in America’s image likely reflects positive reception of Obama’ efforts to engage with the Muslim world, which started with his inaugural address and choosing of Al-Arabiya for his first interview.

However, approval ratings of US policies still remain low across Arab countries, with a median of 25 percent, and many Arabs polled remain undecided on their opinion of Obama.

Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, declared that Obama’s speech due in Cairo on June fourth “will outline his personal commitment to engagement, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect… [and] will discuss how the United States and Muslim communities around the world can bridge some of the differences that have divided them.” Gibbs explained that the speech does not intend to discuss a detailed comprehensive Middle East peace plan.

Matthias Rueb, in Voice of America, asserts that President Obama's speech in Egypt presents another opportunity to fix America's broken image in the Arab and Muslim world.

According to BBC News, Obama’s upcoming speech in Cairo is part of the president’s continuous efforts to engage the Muslim world. Obama will likely reiterate themes from his speech in Turkey when he declared that the US is not at war with Islam and called for a greater partnership with the Muslim world.

The Associated Press reports that Obama will re-emphasize the contributions of Muslim Americans to US society. Gibbs claims in an interview with BBC News, "All of this gives the president the opportunity hopefully to extend the hand to those that in many ways are like us, but simply have a different religion." However, Obama’s new approach requires both sides to recognize the potential for improved relations.

Juan C. Zarate and James K. Glassman in The Boston Globe, support Obama’s efforts to “counter the deadly and pervasive narrative that ‘the West is at war with Islam,’” and believe that Obama ought to replace this narrative “with a more accurate storyline that offers Muslims both responsibility and pride.” This new narrative should remind “the world of American ideals and challenge Muslim communities to confront conflicts in their midst.” The US must emphasize that, “the ultimate outcome will be determined by them, not us.”

Obama will certainly discuss violent extremism in his speech, as it is an issue of particular concern. Zarate and Glassman encouraged Obama to stress that the doctrine of violent reactionaries “is inconsistent with the tenets of Islam” and that “it's up to Muslims to oppose and ostracize the violent extremists in their midst.”

Both authors further expressed that Obama, “is uniquely placed to recast the way American power and influence are viewed,“ thanks to his Muslim background.

In his speech, Obama intends to present a broad message regarding mutual understanding and improving the US’ relationship with the Muslim world. Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications, in the Washington Times, declared that, "the president is eager to change the conversation with our Muslim and Arab friends," and the speech in Cairo is “an important opportunity to advance the national interest."

Obama aims to advance US interest by improving relations with the Arab world and addressing the issue of violent extremism. Additionally, Obama seeks to mobilize Arab support for resuming Middle East peacemaking and preventing Iran's nuclear ambitions, as Reuters reports.

Obama intends to keep his speech broad since he is addressing a diverse audience, and because he ultimately aims to express a simple message of mutual understanding. However, the vagueness of his speech may frustrate and disappoint viewers.

According to the Washington Times, analysts and scholars agree that the visit to Egypt is a major opportunity, yet “Obama must do more than use lofty rhetoric if he wants to restore some of the international good will lost during the Bush administration.”

Furthermore, a recent Zogby International Poll, shows that "deep skepticism" of Obama remains in Egypt.

In the Zogby Poll, when asked what issue would be most central to Arabs’ assessment of Obama's policy in the Middle East, 42 percent of the sample cited the US withdrawal from Iraq; 26 percent cited the Arab-Israeli conflict; and 16 percent, Obama's attitudes towards the Arab and Muslim worlds.

Hadeel Al-Shalchi and Karin Laub of the Associated Press, agree that “respect for Islam, a prescription for Palestinian statehood and assurances of a speedy US pullout from Iraq — that's what Muslims from Morocco to Malaysia want to hear from President Barack Obama this week when he addresses them from this Arab capital.” Ayman El-Amir, a writer for Al-Ahram, argues that Obama needs to embrace a commitment that from now on the US will act even-handedly in the Middle East. El-Amir, though, supports Obama’s plan to keep his speech broad since “the Muslim world is a myriad of cultures and polities that can only be addressed in general terms.”

As analysts describe in Reuters, Obama is attempting to win over Muslims in the Middle East, a region where he faces some of his greatest foreign policy challenges. These foreign policy challenges, namely the Iraq war, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Iran’s nuclear program are also the issues that Arabs are most eagerly waiting to hear Obama discuss.

David Kuttab, a Palestinian journalist writing for the Washington Post, argues, “While foreign policy is crucial, a sincere show of respect and attempt to rebuild trust are more important.” He believes that the greatest challenge for Obama will be finding “a way to apologize for the past and to convince people that he is planning to change course.”

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