Following are comments from the Indian Hindustan Times pertaining to the Obama speech.
“US President Barack Obama won praise from many Muslim leaders on Thursday for a speech he crafted to repair Ameerica’s tainted image in the Islamic world, but more sceptical reactions showed he still had a mountain to climb.”
Rana Achmawi, editor of Egypt’s Al-Ahram Hebdo: “America for the first time is adopting a very wise strategy in acknowledging the other and that was clear in every word chosen by President Obama.”
Khalid al-Dakhil, Saudi analyst: Obama message was one of “reconciliation and new beginnings,” kbut “whether it will be successful in bridging the gap, that will take time.”
Hassan Fadlallah, of Hezbollah: “The Islamic world does not need moral or political sermons. It needs a fundamental change in American policy beginning with a halt to complete support for Israeli aggression against the region, especially against Lebanese and Palestinians, an American withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan, and a stop to its interference in the affairs of Islamic countries.”
Miriam Gal-el, a Jewish settler on West Bank: “he’s a great threat to Israel’s security because he doesn’t understand the meaning of Israel to Jews.”
Sheikh Abdulahi Sheikh Abu Yusuf, of Somalia: “Obma’s speech is good and Islam means peace. Obama, let’s follow the verses you quoted from the Koran.”
