Gospel of Obama

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“To follow the path of spirituality is not to be lazy and leave the world to live in total seclusion, but to livein the market place amidst the madding crowd of the world in a meditative way. We have, and mustcreate more businesses on the principals of co-operation, to usher in the age of spirituality, to ensure the birth and growth of an enlightened society…”

— Anand Krishna

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Anand Krishna’s Writings

“I would like to share my hearing with you - that is if you permit me to do so!”

The Gospel of Obama

Listening to President Obama’s historic speech in Cairo on June 4, I had to conclude that he would godown in the annals of mankind as one of the greatest men ever born, a mahatma, a great soul.He has his weaknesses, shortcomings and failings. He may not be in a better position than any of the USPresidents preceding him in building a strong economic foundation for his nation.For many, many years to come he and his nation may still be at the mercy of Federal Reserve Systemthat controls the US Economy.He may not be able to free his countrymen and women from the clutches of the rotten system. TheFederal Reserve machine may continue to run the country and affect the entire world.But, he may still be remembered as a world-class statesman, if he is able to translate his words intoaction.Let us begin with a very interesting question posted by someone on an online media forum as to whyObama’s choice for Egypt and not other predominantly Muslim nations, especially ones that haveadopted democracy like Indonesia.

Anand Krishna’s Writings » Blog Archive » The Gospel of Obamahttp://www.aumkar.org/eng/?p=1342 of 516/06/2009 8:23

So, the question is: “Why choose Egypt to deliver a speech purportedly addressed to the ‘MuslimWorld?’”This question can actually be easily answered if we carefully listen to President Obama’s speech.He avoided the term “Muslim world” and used “Muslim majority countries” and “communities” instead.As emphasized by Ed Hussain and his colleques at the Quilliam Foundation, “There is no monolithic‘Muslim community’ nor is there a singular homogenous entity known as ‘the Muslim world’, rather there are diverse and distinctive Muslim communities.”President Obama seems to recognize this fact. So, choosing Egypt as the venue for his historic speechwas understandable. He was actually addressing specific communities in and around Egypt.By recognizing the fact that we all live in one and the same world, and that we are not living in distinctand separate Muslim or Christian or Hindu or Buddhist worlds, President Obama identified himself as aworld citizen.This is remarkable. And, if we understand this point clearly, then his speech takes upon a newcolor altogether, the color of hu-manity, humanness, and human feelings.He began his speech with a greeting in Arabic – commendable. Act as Romans in Rome; the audiencecheered him. Alas, in Indonesia even this could be a problem.As pointed out by Endy M. Bayuni (The Jakarta Post, March 13, 2009): “Some years ago, theIndonesian Ulema Council (MUI) came out with a fatwa that said Muslims must not respond to thegreeting assalamualaikum (peace be upon you) when expressed by non-Muslims.The MUI claimed that the expression is holy, sacred and specifically Islamic, and therefore could only be uttered by Muslims.“Although non-binding, many Muslims in Indonesia have heeded the fatwa.At a recent neighborhood gathering where I live, the chief of the neighboring community, a Christian,opened his remarks with assalamualaikum in respect of the majority Muslim audience. Few people inthe room responded. It was not a chorus that one would have heard if a Muslim had said it.”I have the experience of doing business with Arabs in Saudi and elsewhere and we always exchangedgreetings in the Arabic. No problem whatsoever; but, not here in Indonesia. This clearly proves the diversity recognized byPresident Obama.This alone, “the recognition of diversity” and the need to not impose our belief system upon others can be used as the foundation for building peace and harmony. President Obama recognized this fact andtherefore, even when speaking about democracy he said: “…..no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.”Yet, he also recognized the basic human rights and values, including equality and justice for all. Hemade his belief that all people yearn for things like “the ability to speak” their mind and havea say in how they are “governed” very clear.

Anand Krishna’s Writings » Blog Archive » The Gospel of Obamahttp://www.aumkar.org/eng/?p=1343 of 516/06/2009 8:23

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