President Barack Obama has already aroused much controversy during his short term in office so far. Be it the health reform, the struggle against the economic crisis or him being the first black president, each action and every saying is being scrutinized, analyzed and criticized.
However, I think many will agree that President Obama is prominent in “brave politics”, previously uncommon in the American political system. Indeed, Obama is much less fond of the “double talk” that characterizes many politicians; he says what he believes in without embellishment. At the same time, Obama is a pragmatic politician. He does not subject realpolitik to the demands of religious faith or to the quest for vague geopolitical targets, as his predecessors have done. Moreover, Obama does not hesitate to take off the kid gloves when discussing controversial issues, such as Israel building in the West Bank settlements.
In this context, Obama’s brilliant speech at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial exemplifies his unique blend of practice and idealism. In my opinion, the key moment of this speech was Obama’s clear cut declaration that America is not at war with Islam, and it will never be.
Due to pure ignorance, people blend together Islam, Muslims and terror. President Obama creates a distinction between religion and extremism, placing the American values of liberty and freedom of religion for all against violent pseudo-Muslim terror.
These political patterns tell us that President Obama is a visionary leader: he makes efforts to actively shape America’s future according to its own interests, while building coalitions with other countries. First, he conciliates with the Muslim world (both Arab and non-Arab), probably in order to gain the support of Muslim countries for his Sisyphean effort to push the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians up the hill. Second, Obama tries to isolate terror, by pointing out the fact that terrorists kill many of their Muslim “brethren”. And last, Obama delivers a message of tolerance to the American people.
It is often said that leaders have a significant role in creating the state of mind that is society. President Obama bears huge responsibility in trying to reshape the American society by presenting Islam in a more positive light; and he does it while knowingly risking his public image and political might. Let us hope he will succeed, and act to make him succeed.
