NEW YORK (CNN) -- You may find it hard to believe that this remains an issue in this campaign, but it does.
The candidates, both candidates, are still getting questions about Barack Obama's ethnicity and religion. If you are even semi-informed, then by now you already know that of course, Barack Obama is an American.
Of course, Barack Obama is a Christian. Yet just a few days ago, there was a woman at a rally for John McCain incorrectly calling Obama an Arab:
Woman at rally: I don't trust Obama. I have read about him and he's an Arab.
Sen. John McCain:No ma'am, no ma'am. He's a decent family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues. That's what this campaign is all about. He's not, thank you.
Now, I commend Sen. McCain for correcting that woman, for setting the record straight. But I do have one question -- so what if he was?
So what if Obama was Arab or Muslim? So what if John McCain was Arab or Muslim? Would it matter?
When did that become a disqualifier for higher office in our country? When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words? The equivalent of dishonorable or radical?
Whenever this gets raised, the implication is that there is something wrong with being an Arab-American or a Muslim. And the media is complicit here, too.
We've all been too quick to accept the idea that calling someone Muslim is a slur.
I feel like I am stating the obvious here, but apparently it needs to be said: There is a difference between radical Muslims who support jihad against America and Muslims who want to practice their religion freely and have normal lives like anyone else.
There are more than 1.2 million Arab-Americans and about 7 million Muslim-Americans, former Cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, successful business people, normal average Americans from all walks of life.
These are the people being maligned here, and we can only imagine how this conversation plays in the Muslim world. We can't tolerate this ignorance -- not in the media, not on the campaign trail.
Of course, he's not an Arab. Of course, he's not a Muslim. But honestly, it shouldn't matter.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer.
I agree with you brother and I am so glad you posted this.
It shouldn't matter if he is Muslim, Arab, Black, Asian, or whatever it just shouldn’t matter especially in the USA were there is "freedom of religion". I can't believe we still haven't gotten over the whole raciest thing, you would think that in 2008 people would be perfectly fine with this. This just goes to show you that there are still some people out there who believe one race is superior over the other.
Personally I wouldn't care if Barack Obama was a Jew, Buddhist, Hindu....ext. A persons race or even religion should not get in their way of trying to make a difference. As long as you are a decent human being who is trying to make a difference in this world it shouldn't matter.
I pray that people will get their heads out of their butts :enough!: and learn that we are all human beings no one is superior over the other.
i hate obama wether he's arab or not.
ppl say he's a jew, some say his mum's a jew, som say his dads a jew, some say parents jews, nd osama--i mean obama , is christian, some say he's muslim, well honestly i really dont giv...................what the hell he is, its his brain nd heart that anyone should care about, not the way he is.
but in ignorant ppls minds it goes like "if he's arab, he'll blo up america" "if he's jew, he'll kill our children" "if he's christian, we'll live in peace"
waatever...
I totally agree with Truemuslim's second paragraph. People have a tendency to fall into simplistic view points. Any american president will be under the pressure of several lobbies. There will be no miracle. Things are what they are. I'm not really optimistic.
US is officially secular whereas the countries you mentioned don't tend to be secular countries at all. Don't you think that's an important difference?
Regards
Separation of church and state (what makes the US officially secular) only means that the US government cannot support one religion over another. It does not mean that the US is not a Christian nation, or that its voters and politicians are not motivated by religious feelings and doctrine.
Nevertheless, of course I agree with you, it shouldn't matter. In fact, IMHO it would be bigoted to vote against a 'Muslim' merely because he identifies himself as Muslim, let alone Arab. However, I could see how it would be problematic for a practicing Muslim to be leader of the US. US interests might run contrary to Islamic law at times. IMHO it would also be alright for someone to vote against a certain Muslim because one disapproves of his values and policy suggestions. If, for example, that Muslim candidate would endorse the implementation of Sha'ria law, anyone would of course be in his right to vote against that candidate because one disagrees with the principles behind the Sha'ria.
If I might add, in my opinion some people are completely misunderstanding what "freedom of religion" means in a democratic context. It does not mean that the religious convictions of voters or candidates are irrelevant! Voters are completely free to judge candidates on the basis of their personal beliefs, including religious beliefs. In fact, thats the whole point of voting.
It shouldn't matter if he is Muslim, Arab, Black, Asian, or whatever it just shouldn’t matter especially in the USA were there is "freedom of religion". I can't believe we still haven't gotten over the whole raciest thing, you would think that in 2008 people would be perfectly fine with this. This just goes to show you that there are still some people out there who believe one race is superior over the other.
Religion is NOT a biological attribute, Islam is NOT a biological attribute. Islam is a collection of ideas and beliefs. Islam is an ideology. Politics is based on ideologies. To say voters can't discriminate on the basis of ideologies is nonsensical IMHO. If, as a voter, you can't judge candidates on religious beliefs, you cannot judge them on any beliefs.
Following a certain religion is a CHOICE, having a black skin is not, being of Asian decent is not. They are not comparable, one is a lifestyle choice, the other is not. Religion is very much comparable to other choices, such as, whether you are a socialist or libertarian, whether you are a nudist or cover your face in public, etc...
Separation of church and state (what makes the US officially secular) only means that the US government cannot support one religion over another. It does not mean that the US is not a Christian nation, or that its voters and politicians are not motivated by religious feelings and doctrine.
Nevertheless, of course I agree with you, it shouldn't matter. In fact, IMHO it would be bigoted to vote against a 'Muslim' merely because he identifies himself as Muslim, let alone Arab. However, I could see how it would be problematic for a practicing Muslim to be leader of the US. US interests might run contrary to Islamic law at times. IMHO it would also be alright for someone to vote against a certain Muslim because one disapproves of his values and policy suggestions. If, for example, that Muslim candidate would endorse the implementation of Sha'ria law, anyone would of course be in his right to vote against that candidate because one disagrees with the principles behind the Sha'ria.
That makes sense. Thanks kAding.
"I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge."
So what if Obama was a muslim or Arab?
When Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Syria or Sudan has a christian president you can all ask questions like "So what if Obama was a muslim or Arab".
Senegal (95% of the population are Muslims)
- President Leonold Senghor (Roman Catholic) - 06.09.1960 - 31.12.1980
Burkina Faso (50% of the population are Muslims)
- President Maurice Yameogo (Christian) - 05.08.1960 - 03.01.1966 - President Saye Zerbo (Christian, Ex Muslim) - 25.11.80 - 07.11.82 - Pres. Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo (Christian) - 08.11.82 - 04.08.83 - Pres. Thomas Sankara (Roman Catholic) - 04.08.83 - 15.10.87
Chad (54% of the population are Muslims)
- Pres. Felix Malloum N'Gakoutou (Christian) - 15.04.75 - 23.03.79
American secularism doesn't exactly conform to a precise theoretical interpretation of the secular ideology. It's notable to keep in mind that virtually every US president, has come to power on a substratum of assuaging the mass nationwide Christian lobby. It is important to incorporate so called "christian populism" into any political bid for public office in the United States.
Even regarding the very adept and technocratic politicians like Obama, they invariably have to succumb to Christian demands and proclivities, especially when campaigning in religious states, which constitute a huge voter bloc. That is why you don't hear the gay and lesbian issue being addressed that much, because what you might percieve as liberal and tolerant, might be blasphemy and sacriliege to others. It's a case of trying to maintain that political equipoise. Based ofcourse, on whom you are addressing, or where precisely votes are being canvassed for.
So what if Obama was a muslim or Arab?
When Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Syria or Sudan has a christian president
Malaysia doesn't have a president.. Our country is a constitutional monarchy... and the YDPA (our King) must be a Muslim because he would be the Leader of the Islamic community and the official religion of the nation is Islam.
So what if Obama was a muslim or Arab?
When Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, Syria or Sudan has a christian president you can all ask questions like "So what if Obama was a muslim or Arab".
Iraq's vice president was Christian, so when you countries ever have a Muslim in such a high position come back and talk to us, how about that?
Ya I hate that getting called a Muslim/Arab is a huge insult. Like that lady told McCain that Obama was Arab. And McCain was like NO NO he's a decent man. LOL so ru saying there are no decent Arabs? I thought I was the only one that noticed this cuz I was watching the news and they were talking about what McCain said for hours, but not once was my point brought up. It feels good to finally see an article that talks about that.
Ya I hate that getting called a Muslim/Arab is a huge insult. Like that lady told McCain that Obama was Arab. And McCain was like NO NO he's a decent man. LOL so ru saying there are no decent Arabs? I thought I was the only one that noticed this cuz I was watching the news and they were talking about what McCain said for hours, but not once was my point brought up. It feels good to finally see an article that talks about that.
yes it is sad that it is an insult to be called muslim in america. i think it shows the ugly prejudices in society today. and also what difference does it make if he is an arab? so what?
Ya I hate that getting called a Muslim/Arab is a huge insult. Like that lady told McCain that Obama was Arab. And McCain was like NO NO he's a decent man. LOL so ru saying there are no decent Arabs? I thought I was the only one that noticed this cuz I was watching the news and they were talking about what McCain said for hours, but not once was my point brought up. It feels good to finally see an article that talks about that.
I don't think he was implying that Arabs aren't decent family men although I understand how it might come across that way.
"I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge."
It also must be understood what the woman, in her rather ignorant way, meant by calling Obama an "Arab". It wasn't a race issue, it was about Obama's allegiance. There have been many false rumors out there about Obama's duel citizenship and his national allegiance. By calling him an "Arab", the woman was casting doubt on his patriotism and calling into question Obama's ties to Kenya and so forth.
It was an ignorant question and statement made by the woman, and McCain answered the question on the woman's level. McCain simply corrected her about Obama being an Arab, and then tried to raise the level of debate by complimenting Obama as a decent human being who he simply has disagreements with. It was in no way about the merits of being an Arab or not being an Arab.
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
yes it is sad that it is an insult to be called muslim in america. i think it shows the ugly prejudices in society today. and also what difference does it make if he is an arab? so what?
In a country which actually criticises people for being intellectuals, that makes perfect sense though...
And as for the onewho fears standing in front of His Lord and restrainsthe soul from impure evil desires and lusts, verily, Paradise will be his abode [79:40-41]
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Thanks kAding.
Re: So what if Obama were a Muslim or an Arab?
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