In his first oversees trip US President
Donald Trump bounced along to a Saudi sword dance. Like his predecessor, Barack Obama, Donald
Trump received the highest civilian honor, the order of Abdulaziz al-Saud.
Trump placed immense distance between
himself and the virulent anti Muslim rhetoric that was the hallmark of his
election campaign. When President Obama skipped the funeral of Supreme Court Judge
Antonin Scalia, Trump tweeted “ I wonder if President Obama would have attended
the funeral of Justice Scalia it were held in a Mosque”.
Trump acknowledged that Saudi Arabia is home is home to the
holiest sites for one of the world’s great faiths. Trump has a newfound
fondness for Muslims. Trump declared that America was adopting “Principled
Realism” and decisions will be “based on real-world outcomes, not inflexible
ideology”.
In his Saudi Arabia speech Trump said “I have always heard abut the
splendor of your country and the kindness of your citizens, but words do not do
justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place”. Trump moved from “Islam
hates us” to “young Muslim boys and girls should be able to grow up free of
fear, safe from violence, and innocent of hatred”.
Owing to his tremendous learning during his trip to the Muslim
world I hope President trump would understand that when we see masses fleeing
from war, plunder, blood drenched earth, murder and rape we see innocent men
and women, and children who must be shown compassion.
Acts of terrorism and war anywhere demean all that is holy
everywhere. Show compassion Mr. Trump.
Unclench your fist. Lift the travel ban and welcome refugees because in your
own words Muslims have “borne the brunt of the killings and the worst of the
destruction in this wave of fanatical violence”.
Trump’s message on terrorism to the over 50 Muslim countries was
unequivocal. According to Trump, it’s a battle between good and evil and, the
choice between features. Trump further declared, “terrorists do not worship
God, they worship death”.
The solution, according to Trump, a better future is only
possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. He urged
Muslim leaders to drive extremists “out of your places of worship and drive
them out of this earth”.
While we must demand action from Muslim leaders, it is also
important for Trump to completely and sincerely restrain himself from spreading
anti Muslim rhetoric of hatred that appeals to his political base, and fueled
his election victory.
The root causes of violent extremism are complex. They cannot be
supplanted by military assault alone. If Trump is sincere he must walk the hard
and long road to help Muslim societies to build stronger economies and deepen
civil liberties. The dreams and aspirations of hundreds of millions of Muslim
children, especially girls must flourish.
We all must hope that this is not some phony dial back or re-set
just to close arms trade deals with governments of the Muslim world.
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