AP: Muslim students protest in Jakarta against Barack Obama’s first Indonesian visit as president

7 Comments

1. 

   Sakina

   March 5, 2010 at 7:07 PM

   I don’t understand. Why? How is that they are this impassioned about the man?

   It almost seems like a farce; a publicity stunt? Attention seeking? Hate-orade drinkers?

   Or, what is it that I’m missing?

   Reply
2. 

   Ibn Mikada

   March 7, 2010 at 11:57 AM

   Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu,

   American foreign policy in the last year can be briefly described in two words: fighting Muslims. It’s not his invention, but he has done little if nothing to change it. Worse, he’s using his aggressive foreign policy to soften the criticism levelled against him with regards to moves he’s making on domestic issues. I hope that Indonesians are not the only ones who saw through his empty rhetoric of change and reconciliation.

   Wassalaam,

   Mustafa

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   • 

     Sakina

     March 7, 2010 at 4:53 PM

     Wa Alaykum Asalaam wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatahu.

     I see your point; well, somewhat.

     The response still seems a bit overboard from my perspective. Perhaps because Obama has personal/childhood ties there, they feel they have to make a concerted, MAMMOTH effort to show their dislike, simply because of that fact.

     And you are so right in saying “it is not his invention”. I’d hate to be burned at the stake for the crimes of my predecessors; for the balls they have already set into motion before my time. What an injustice that would be.

     Peace be Upon You,
     ~Sakina

     Reply
     • 

       suhail

       March 8, 2010 at 10:16 AM

       Yeah Cheney called Obama and ordered him to put more forces on ground in Afghanistan. I think Bush called and ordered Obama to increase the drone attacks in Pakistan too. I think somebody from the Bush administration kept his lip sealed when Israel was bombing Gaza and killing muslims left and right. Either you are living in a cuckoo land or still hung up with Obama talks during his campaign.

       More power to the Indonesian youth on seeing the farce behind Obama’s face. And anyways even if Obama wants to change something does he even have the power to do it.

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       • 

         Sakina

         March 25, 2010 at 10:25 AM

         Asalaamu Alaykum,
         No, brother, I believe there is a better way to convey our disapproval of a person’s actions. Whether they be a person off the street or a person in high authority, Muslims are to be courteous, if not respectful, and dignified.

         Throwing shoes at a poster with Obama’s face on it? What does this accomplish my brother? Would The Prophet had ordered the sahaba to paint a picture of Abu Lahab and then order people to throw shoes at it? We all know the answer…

         This whole style of protesting is counter-productive, as is your sarcasm directed at me (as seen in this sentence, “Either you are living in a cuckoo land…”). It does nothing to change the current state of affairs.

         With Courtesy, Your Sister in Islam,
         ~Sakina

         Reply
3. 

   Stinger

   March 7, 2010 at 5:56 PM

   I also think we need to have more intellectually oriented ways of expressing our views. Even if they did want to have a demonstration it should have been kept more civil. Yet I can understand where the frustration is coming from, there’s still a long way to go before policies are correctly implemented.

   Reply
4. 

   Kashif

   March 7, 2010 at 11:23 PM

   This is good not bad news. Indonesia should allow protests against it’s own government and policies as well. Dissent through peaceful protests should not be limited in anyway.

   Reply