Date Published: 09/06/09
President Obama's message to the Muslims on Ramadan
President Obama really impresses me with his speech to the muslim
Ummah on Ramadan. This is indeed a confirmation of a new era of
relationship between America and the Muslim world, especially if all
these ideals enumerated are put into practice. But there are certain
things that both America and the Muslim worlds need to do to sustain
and reinforce this emerging mutual respect.
We all as Muslims should learn to articulate our positions, agitations
and spirituality in a most peaceful way. This is because doing so by
whatever means other than dialogue and peaceful negotiations will only
confirm the negative stereotype and perceptions Europe and America are
having about Muslims and Islam. Muslims the world over should pursue
knowledge as it is the power that drives the world from now hence.
Europe and America on the other hand should expand their existing
capacity to accommodate and tolerate Muslims and by extension Islam.
The subtle hatred to Islamic culture exhibited by the West and
America, do quite often force Muslims in to a reactionary group.
Islamic veils (Hijab), construction of mosque, Islamic donor finance
agencies etc should be allowed in the spirit of freedom of religion
and consceince that the West and America are claiming to uphold.
There is no doubt the fact that President Barack Obama has already set
the ball rolling through his speeches in Egypt and now the Ramadan
message to Muslims. I only hope all other world leaders, and indeed
the led, will follow these civilised footsteps.
The world will be a better place to be if world religions and the
global superpowers will encourage, support and strengthen dialogue,
peace and neutrality among mankind. Bravo President Obama for reaching
out for the second time in recent days to the Muslims all over the
world.
--
Abdulrahman Mohammed Alfa
No 12, Afaka Road,
(Layin Bappa Memorial School), Barakallahu
P.O. Box 7677, Kaduna
GSM No 0802 376 8487
Official GSM No: +234 (0) 803 704 1155
Personal GSM No: +234 (0) 809 958 0199
Office: +234 (0) 62 899872
|
