On February, 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] President Obama visited the Islamic Society of Baltimore, a mosque where thousands of Muslim American families exercise their first amendment rights. His speech highlighted the principle of acceptance, tolerance, diversity and unity upon which our country is built and thrives.
*“I want every Muslim American who may be wondering where they fit in to know that you’re right where you belong - right here, because you’re part of America, too. You are not Muslim or American. You are Muslim AND American.” – *President Obama
During the past decade or so, we have all witnessed a rise in the violent narratives propagated by various militant and terrorist groups to justify their actions. They base these narratives upon dogmatic interpretations and blatant lies, creating an environment of fear, mistrust and misunderstanding between people of different religions. Yet they have succeeded in recruiting a small number of disenfranchised, ill-informed and susceptible people. Today, our tolerance, understanding and compassion is being tested and so we all have to overcome our fear and mistrust and recognize that we are all in this fight together.
And speaking personally, I couldn’t agree more with his statement. Yes, I am a proud American and a Muslim.
That was a great gesture.. I luv it, and so do others peaceful people who love this amazing country too.
Now the only question I've is, why it took 7 years for President to visit any mosque?!!
That was a great gesture.. I luv it, and so do others peaceful people who love this amazing country too.
Now the only question I've is, why it took 7 years for President to visit any mosque?!!
Politics. I like a lot of what he has done, but suffice to say, he is spineless. I knew how much he loves polls when in an iftar dinner he said that ground zero mosque was 'ok', but when there was backlash, he replied to a reporter on his way to the aircraft that "I was talking about the legality of the situation, not the wisdom of putting it up there". SID, you must have remember it since you are from new york about that whole cultural center shabang. I was like yeah, even its critics were saying that it is their right, but you are the freakin' President, so take a stand like Bloomberg did when he was mayor.
Bush had cahones, but then he did other ****ed up things. Take it or leave it.. :D
Political gimmicks. American President are known for pulling such publicity stunts when in pressure. Back in the day, just shaking hands with the black Civil Rights leaders used to the ultimate trick of making the public go gaga.
The gesture, regardless of how hollow it perceives to be, should still be appreciated when living as a growing minority. When muslims start to make a significant impact that could go in the favor of, or against in most certain terms, the running candidates will start to pander to the muslim cause more frequently. While the impact of muslim vote does put in a dent, it’s not significant enough (yet). There’s an ongoing debate on this very fact here.
Political gimmicks. American President are known for pulling such publicity stunts when in pressure. Back in the day, just shaking hands with the black Civil Rights leaders used to the ultimate trick of making the public go gaga.
Would you care to enlighten us on how European leaders go about with the task of making their muslim citizens feel integrated with their societies? Frankly, I can't think of any haughty european leaders who have even the slightest rapport with their muslim citizens. Muslims lie ghettoized from UK to Greece, and seditious acts are increasing by the day.
BUt i do agree - these gimmicks are flawed. Ideally, political leaders shouldnt have to go to chruches mosques synagogues etc. The line between acceptance, reassurance quickly fades into appeasement and ignorance. Southern US already pays for this with their science textbooks, and loss of future generations' competitiveness with respect to better educated kids from everywhere else.
Would you care to enlighten us on how European leaders go about with the task of making their muslim citizens feel integrated with their societies? Frankly, I can't think of any haughty european leaders who have even the slightest rapport with their muslim citizens. Muslims lie ghettoized from UK to Greece, and seditious acts are increasing by the day.
BUt i do agree - these gimmicks are flawed. Ideally, political leaders shouldnt have to go to chruches mosques synagogues etc. The line between acceptance, reassurance quickly fades into appeasement and ignorance. Southern US already pays for this with their science textbooks, and loss of future generations' competitiveness with respect to better educated kids from everywhere else.
Excuse me? I am not a spokesperson for Europe nor I live in the mainland Europe. But if it helps, David Cameron recently visited mosque in Birmingham and Manchester, and we have 13 Muslim MPs sitting in the British Parliament. So yes, ignorance is bliss.
France has a bunch of "muslims" as high ranking ministers too. None of these leaders have much to do with the ghettoized muslims though. What are your 13 MPs and those liek lord nazir able to do about your ghettoized youth leaving for Syria?
France has a bunch of "muslims" as high ranking ministers too. None of these leaders have much to do with the ghettoized muslims though. What are your 13 MPs and those liek lord nazir able to do about your ghettoized youth leaving for Syria?
How much the lives of black Americans have improved since America elected a black President? More meaningless symbolism, fruitless milestones and gimmicky would you say?
I don't know why you are getting your knickers in a twist, if you are going to act like condescending and ignorant God bless America troll and howl ghettoization of community then perhap try to act like an intelligent American and admit that life of ghettoized community isn't turned around overnight. 13 Muslim MPs and Muslim Ministers is a very recent phenomena but it still shows Muslim who are integrated into Europe do make it big and find acceptance, and Muslims who aren't integrated still have similar opportunities, and aren't discriminated.
Let's see how your God Bless Amreeka would have treated Muslims if the American Muslim population was socio-economically the weaker group like it is Europe. So yes, the type of Muslims Europe has to put up with - it is indeed doing a great job. The onus is on European Muslims to improve their condition, not on others.
i see you are now grasping at straws. but thank you for accepting that american muslims are well off compared to european ones socio-economically. :)
LOL? What? Is it rocket science or just learned that common fact yesterday?
You just got defensive and offended. Yes American Muslims are socio-economically in better position, a) immigration from urban centres as opposed to rural working class that came to Europe, b) no post colonial quota visas, c) tougher American immigration meant very few chances of importing family members, d) no welfare system meant employment was must.
Now remember that next time you try to act like a hysterical God Bless America troll with twisted knickers. Obama or American President is not a God, it is a okay if some lowly European makes a comment on him.
Maybe because it is a British idiom, and it fits your perfectly.
Typical American ignorance. If this is what your understanding of Trump is, then God help the Americans.
Obama is God because he visited a Mosque in eight years, and Cameron went to two different Mosques in two different cities in both of his terms and he’s a Trump.
What do you have to say to Cameron singling out only pakistani muslim women to "learn" english? I do accept the premise, but why not everyone like eastern europeans and polish?
Everyone has to give credit (bush did the same) that Obama doesn't equate islam with terrorism. I know that you'll bring in america's destabilizing role in the ME, but UK has been part & parcel of that crap. In fact, it was UK and France who pushed and largely participated in ousting Qadaffi and then leaving Libya to the vultures. Lots of blame to around, so I don't know how you are acting all high and might about the brits.
The whole kashmir problem was created by the brits so sometimes I wish that the british government and the royal family drown in their own piss.
What do you have to say to Cameron singling out only pakistani muslim women to "learn" english? I do accept the premise, but why not everyone like eastern europeans and polish?
Everyone has to give credit (bush did the same) that Obama doesn't equate islam with terrorism. I know that you'll bring in america's destabilizing role in the ME, but UK has been part & parcel of that crap. In fact, it was UK and France who pushed and largely participated in ousting Qadaffi and then leaving Libya to the vultures. Lots of blame to around, so I don't know how you are acting all high and might about the brits.
The whole kashmir problem was created by the brits so sometimes I wish that the british government and the royal family drown in their own piss.
Listen, I am not a first generation American immigrant where I must blindly adhere to 'God Bless America' or God Save the Queen cult to find acceptance in the society. I am born and bred British citizen - that novelty factor was never there from the beginning. So I know all too well about everything that is wrong with the government and everything that is wrong with a community - so don't you for a second think our precious feelings get hurt when you say anything about scummy politicians like Cameron and Blair. American Presidents might be God for American public, but in the UK, ruling politicians are always the most criticized group even if they are saints. Fortunately, we have this freedom over here - in ample amount.
As with Cameron - a) Fact: He did not single out Pakistanis. b) he could have talked about Indians too, but in the overall context of the speech, the point was more for general integration of Muslims than everyone non white or non British. c) I totally agree with everything he said. d) First generation Poles may struggle with English language for initial period (just like French/Italians etc), but rate of integration is much higher in second (and even in first) generation Polish community than let's say third generation Silette Bangladeshis or Mirpuris - these groups struggle to integrate and find acceptance in mainstream urban Pakistani and Bangladeshi cultures back home, let alone British.
I would have liked to see what would have happened to so called American 'tolerance', 'freedom' and love for Mawzz-lums if Americans had to put up with inherently problematic Muslim community that Britain and Europe are taking along- and on top of that, keeping them under the umbrella of the welfare system.
Where am I acting high and mighty about Brits? Seriously are you Desi Americans that insecure and ignorant and intolerant that if someone dare say anything about Amreeeka, they must think everything about their country is all holy? Such insecure, defensive and superficial level of hyper patriotism you have to wear on your sleeves all the time- I feel sorry for you guys. I swear to God, you guys would have turned Cameron into a God, considering the guy had visited two grand mosques in two cities in both of his tenures.
I have said in plenty of times in this forum that 90% of current international conflict can be traced back to British Empire. FYI. Even formation of NATO was a British idea, dragging America out of isolation was British doing. Formation of EU was a British idea, and sidelining the Eastern European block and staring the Cold War was a British idea. Creation of Israel too was a British deed. Introducing nationalism of nation states and drawing artificial borders in whole of ME and Africa is a British imperial legacy. Here I have admitted all these things - see if you can get my nationality revoked! Fortunately, We have universities, books, and freedom to know the truth and speak the truth - an average Brit is far more aware of its own country's history, international legacy of its imperial past and effects of contemporary foreign policy than Americans. You Americans too will have that freedom of speech phase when your imperial glory is all gone and the hangover is at least 30 years old.
So much for Brits not being aware their government's wrong doing, the largest public protest in the whole history of Britain was for against the Iraq War, British policies in Middle East and their affinity with Saudi Arabia is criticised day and night in the public and the press - so really Brits are not Americans - what's wrong is wrong, and we have every bit of freedom to call it wrong without being shot dead or being called traitors or threatened to be shipped back. It's another thing that foreign policy is hardly ever influenced by public opposition.
So much for some Amereeki troll calling Blair a Trump - it was under Blair's immigration policy that migration from Muslim countries increased many folds and compare this to your Trump that wants to ship your 'socio economically' strong super duper Muslims back to Africa or wherever.
