"I think everyone who is honest and loyal to Islam and Arab people, will like Obama's statement and believe what he says.

They should also welcome American society being willing to embrace Islam."

So said "a financial market worker from Baghdad's southern suburbs," in an intriguing indication of how Obama is perceived in the Islamic world.

"Barack Obama says: time for Iraqis to take back Iraq," by Martin Chulov in the Guardian, April 7 (thanks to James):Barack Obama wrapped up a landmark eight-day swing through Europe with a surprise visit to Iraq yesterday - his first as president -and told US troops that Iraqis now needed "to take responsibility for their own country".

Continuing the outreach to the Arab and Islamic worlds that dominated his last stop in Turkey, Obama said he was committed to his timetable for a troop withdrawal, but determined not to let Iraq slide back to war.

"You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country," he said. "It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis. They need to take responsibility for their country." [...]

Obama remained at Camp Victory because of an approaching sandstorm and asked president Jalal Talabani and prime minister Nour al-Maliki to drive out to meet him.

White House and US military officials decided not to risk a helicopter ride into central Baghdad, where Talabani had prepared a full state reception at his palace. Talabani and Maliki were unwilling to travel to the US base on the outskirts of the capital.

In Baghdad's cafes and eateries, many diners were keen to draw comparisons between Obama and his predecessor, George Bush, whose frequent trips met with increasing indifference and occasional hostility.

Tareq al-Koreshi, 71, a financial market worker from Baghdad's southern suburbs said: "I think everyone who is honest and loyal to Islam and Arab people, will like Obama's statement and believe what he says. They should also welcome American society being willing to embrace Islam."

But government employee Shaera Ali Mohammed, 55, said: "I don't think he is telling the truth," she said. "He is working to make good relations with Islamic and Arab countries because America has found itself in very tough times and needs to find a way out of the mess of the Bush term.

"Now American interests need to move on, so they are looking to us to help them. Obama and Bush are the same. They are only tools to implement the plan of Congress. Obama is interested in the wealth of Iraq. He has come for the oil."

Comment: You know how Obama responds to such criticism? He is motivated to demonstrate more care for Islam, he must "prove to others" he is not like Bush-our enemy knows this and will continue to use such language to get more from Obama-this is going to be very dangerous for America-more concessions will be offered, those of us who criticize Islam will be admonished, the transformation has begun.

Thanks Jihad Watch