Jihad Watch
Mr. Obama: reconciliation cannot be separated from reciprocation. The Islamic World must not demand from us that which they are unwilling to return to us and to extend to their own citizens of other religions. I hope you help them understand reconciliation is a two-way street." As Obama prepares to demonstrate his respect for the Islamic world, he would do well to in fact ponder this interconnection between reconciliation and reciprocation.
"A Message to President Obama From Christian Copts of California: Reconciliation With the Islamic World is a Two-Way Street," from Earth Times, May 27:
LOS ANGELES, May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On June 4, 2009, Mr. Obama will be traveling to Cairo, the Egyptian Capital, to deliver a message to the Islamic World. The speech is expected to address ways to mend the differences between the Islamic World and the United States. The hope is for the speech to bring some kind of reconciliation between the two.
The relationship between the United States and the Islamic World has suffered serious setbacks in recent years. The Muslim World has been voicing feelings of grievances against the USA. As a result many Muslim radical groups emerged with agendas opposing the USA. The groups perpetrated a series of major attacks against Americans and U.S. interest worldwide. [...]
Of course, it is crucial for the USA to listen to the Islamic World's point of view. I hope somebody tells them it is equally crucial for them to listen to America's point of view. Historically the USA has done sufficient favors for the Muslim World to earn respect rather than such vehement hatred. Somebody needs to remind them the USA has been good to them. A large part of U.S. foreign aid has been going to Islamic countries.[...]
Ironically, some of such are neighboring Muslim nations. Somebody needs to remind the Muslim World that polite reciprocity for generous kindnesses shown is supposedly an Islamic custom.
Internally, Muslims seeking residency on USA soil have been welcomed with open arms. American Muslims enjoy the same freedoms, equality and justice every American citizen expects. There are no restrictions on their religious practices and they are free to expend efforts to convert as many Americans as they can to Islam. Mosques, Islamic centers and schools are freely built allover the country. Such freedoms are most definitely not offered to those of other faiths within the boundaries of the Islamic World.
An example is Egypt, the capital of the Islamic World, where Mr. Obama has chosen to deliver his speech. Egyptian Muslims seeking to convert to Christianity or to any other faith are not permitted to do so. Christians need presidential decrees to build new churches and governor's approval to repair existing ones. There have been instances where Christians were arrested for praying in their homes without a permit. Egypt's Christians number around 15% of the nation's total population. Yet, they are represented by less than 1/2 % of elected parliamentary representatives. An imposed quota on some jobs limits the hiring of Christians to 2% or less. Many high ranking jobs are completely out of reach of Christians.
Mr. Obama: reconciliation cannot be separated from reciprocation. The Islamic World must not demand from us that which they are unwilling to return to us and to extend to their own citizens of other religions. I hope you help them understand reconciliation is a two-way street.
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