UAE | General

Readers cautious but hopeful about Obama's visit

Barack Obama's first steps in the Middle East since becoming US President do not necessarily mean a giant leap for mankind. While raising both hopes and scepticism, Obama's visit has plunged Gulf News readers into debate.

  • By Sanya Nayeem, Deputy Readers Editor
  • Published: 23:35 June 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • It seems like he is trying to involve, include and respectthe Middle East and this is a good start, says Tanisha Gupta.
  • Image Credit: Supplied Picture

Dubai: Barack Obama's first steps in the Middle East since becoming US President do not necessarily mean a giant leap for mankind. While raising both hopes and scepticism, Obama's visit has plunged Gulf News readers into debate.

The US President arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ahead of his keynote address to the Arab and Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt.

Murad Lassoued, a Tunisian expatriate, was optimistic about the president's role in bridging the East and West.

He said: "I expect Obama to reconcile the Arab world with the US. He has promised a lot of things so far and has delivered. If he continues to do so, America's reputation will finally be repaired."

For Lionel Gonzaga, a Filipino expatriate and Sharjah resident, optimism has been contagious ever since Obama became president.

He said: "It's not just people in the Middle East. Around the world, people are expecting him to make a difference. Especially after George W. Bush's administration, we are all expecting new strategies from Obama."

The fact that the US President made a Middle East visit part of his agenda in his first year of presidency shows that he is serious, Gonzaga added.

For Munawar Aziz, a Pakistani expatriate, Obama's speech in Cairo is significant and he hoped the eloquent speaker will choose his topics wisely.

Aziz said: "The global economic downturn is something that is bound to change and it should not be the main topic in his address. In order to bring peace to the region, he must make the situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan his main priority."

But while readers anticipate his up coming address to the Muslim world, some think that walking the talk is a much harder battle.

Mark Freiwat, a Palestinian expatriate and resident of Sharjah, was cautious about the impact of Obama's decisions in the Middle East.

He said: "All presidents are usually happy with the way things are, unlike the public. With Obama, I think he will make a difference, but it will be short-lived."

According to Freiwat, terrorism is still the reigning problem and the root of major issues around the world.

He said: "It is an incredibly important issue that Obama must focus on."

But while having someone to tackle the concerns of the world can create a lot of expectations, it can also bring disappointment and doubt.

Nas, a Dubai resident, wrote in to gulfnews.com to express her distrust of Obama's influence in the Middle East.

She wrote: "He was elected largely to pacify growing aversion to US foreign policies, particularly around the Palestine-Israel issue."

For Tanisha Gupta, a 23-year-old Indian expatriate, the fact that Obama was willing to extend an olive branch was enough.

She said: "It seems like he is trying to involve, include and respect the Middle East and this is a good start.

"It is just too soon to say if he will make a positive change, let alone a lasting one - but I think we are all hopeful."


Your comments


I believe that President Obama understands the wall that was built by Mr. Bush and Middle Eastern Countries. It is then his responsibility to not only rebuild those ties with nations but to also rebuild the faith, respect and reputation that the people of those nations have in the United States of America.
Dewayne Stewart
New Jersey,US
Posted: June 04, 2009, 16:57

Not only Muslims but the whole world are waiting..President Obama is so far doing a good job and is one by one keeping his word during the campaign period. The word here is Patience. You can't expect someone to please the whole world and iron out differences overnight but at least give him credit and respect coz it's very visible that he's reaching out and doing his best.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 04, 2009, 15:26

I believe in "actions speak louder than the words", Mr. Obama should have to take practical steps to build confidence among muslim world. He should stop Israel from increasing Jewish settlements, allow peaceful Nuclear power to Iran, withdraw troops from Iraq and Afganistan and negotiate a deal between Indian and Pakistan regarding the dispute of Kashmir. Before these steps nothing can change the views of Muslims.
Ehsan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 04, 2009, 15:23

All of us are hopeful and the world is waiting and watching. let us hope we are able to get rid of the blaming game. if we remember that when we point 1 finger at others, 3 fingers point back at us- we will wake up to the fact that the responsibility is with all of us. there are no 'others'- everything has a rippling effect- all thoughts, words, deeds. so let us all change the way we think, speak, do- towards peace. if we focus on it, it will happen.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 04, 2009, 13:26

It was the main agenda of Mr. president barack obama that he will repair reputation of america and amircans and thats the reason he became popular soon among americans, so far i am thinking this man is optimistic and he is trying to approach towards peace, but his next few years will decide how much he go and wil go
Daud Khan Bangash
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 04, 2009, 13:04

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