Barack Obama’s recent Cairo speech was essentially his Sermon on the Nile.
He delivered his opening applause line: “I am proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.”
A thunderous roar of approval immediately resonated through the hallowed hall of Cairo University.
This was the only time in his hour long speech that he referred to the name of Allah although he quoted from the Holy Qur’an three times and once each from the Talmud and Holy Bible. His expository understanding of Scriptures from the three Abrahamic faiths helped steer him clear of the religious fault lines. He was even mindful to observe the traditional Muslim invocation (peace be upon them) when mentioning the names of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed. Again the audience appreciated the preacher’s thoughtful gesture with another round of applause.
The urgency of his task “to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world” was underlined by his repeated use of the word Muslim/Islam 68 times over compared to nine times for Jew/Jewish and only six times did he use the word Christian.
But Obama was quick to identify himself as a Christian although back home many among Christian Zionist and conservative Evangelical circles seriously doubt his spritual moorings with some even accusing him as a secret Muslim.
He also went on a road less travelled by U.S. Presidents before him by paying tribute, for instance, to “civilization’s debt to Islam” and its influence on Europe’s Renaissance.
The power of his sermon as any accomplished preacher would know comes from the testimony of his own story and conviction.
“I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.”
“I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson – kept in his personal library.”
Obama’s was essentailly a three-point sermon about truth, reconciliation, and peace. Seven times he used the word truth and just as many times for the word God. Seven being a divine number in the Abrahamic religions in that the seventh day is consecrated as holy even though the three traditions observe it on separate days;Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Citing from Surah al-Ahzab, verse 70, Obama said: “As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.”
The truth according to Obama is that, “The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.”
But the truth is also that “America and Islam are not exclusive” and “America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam.”
Obama spoke passionately about peace, a word he used 28 times. Truth indeed can lead to peace but not before past sins are dealt with to pave the way for reconciliation.
Obama was forthright about this. He conceded that Iraq was a “war of choice” and that “events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.”
On Israel, Obama did not mince his words: “The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.”
On the other hand, he also pointed out that, “Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.”
Relying on a universal truth, he said, “There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples.”
Finally, he quoted Matthew 5:9, a line from the Beatitudes which is part of the Sermon on the Mount, the longest recorded sermon of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Obama concluded his Sermon on the Nile with a stirring call: “The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth.”
Immediately following that, he held a roundtable interview with eight invited journalists. On finding out that a journalist from Israel has been invited, one senior Egyptian columnist refused to sit on the same table. Obama earlier in his speech said, “No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust.” Amen.
