If you're like me you were waiting to see if President Obama was going to mention the Christian persecution that often takes place at the hands of militant Islam, in his speech in Cairo. Sadly, but not surprising, Obama didn't say one word about Christian persecution.
What Obama did do however, was tout his Muslim heritage by saying, "Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I'm a
Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of
Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and
heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a
young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith."
He also went on to say,
Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the
name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) But my
personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has
not come true for everyone in America, but
its promise exists for all who come to our shores -- and that includes nearly 7
million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes
and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)
Moreover, freedom in America is
indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is
a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our
borders. That's why the United
States government has
gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to
punish those who would deny it. (Applause.)
President Obama did refer once to the Bible, as Holy, and to the Koran has Holy five times. He also mentioned human rights twice.
Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent
minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the
continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against
civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably
hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human
rights. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.
...
That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that
reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this
principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own
people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone,
just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful
election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for
certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how
you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal
administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't
steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are
not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we
will support them everywhere. (Applause.)
If there was one point in the speech where if we squint and pretend just a little bit, President Obama indirectly addressed persecution. This is what he said,
"Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of
Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a
child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an
overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today.
People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith
based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This
tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it's being
challenged in many different ways."
I would like to know what you're thoughts were on President Obama's speech. Comments are open.