MuBarack! My Thoughts On The Election of Obama
Thursday, November 6th, 2008 at 8:31 AM in Chicago, Politics
Barack Mubarack! Yes we did! BarackAllahu feekum! He took it! Congratulations Hussein Bhai! As the Gmail status messages ring in the cheers, here’s some thoughts on what the Obama victory means to me.
As a Chicagoan, it was something else to see Obama take the victory right in my own home city. I knew people who went to Grant Park for his victory speech and even saw some Muslims I knew on TV. This election and the events that led up to it were truly something else. On a humorous note, my wife and I jokingly kinda wished they would’ve increased the “Chicagoness” of the celebration. How so? For one, they should’ve had the starting lineup intro for the Chicago Bulls play, with an all-star Chicago “starting lineup”. Oprah, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Kanye West, Michael Jordan, and finally, the man of the hour, Barack Obama. The bench would consist of Common, Derick Rose, Roger Ebert, Mike Ditka, Al Bundy, Bill Murray, Lupe Fiasco, the Perfect Strangers, Steve Urkel, Christian Bale as Batman from The Dark Knight, okay now I’m just getting carried away.
As a recent college graduate looking for a job in a recession, I’m both relieved the republican party of McCain lost and the democratic Obama team took the stage. As Imam Suhaib said, Obama’s more about socializing the benefits for the masses, not privatizing them. I personally like Obama’s constant focus on the middle to lower class of America and not on supposed plumbers making $250,000+ a year.
As a Muslim, I have two feelings. Firstly, I’m relieved McCain and Sarah Palin weren’t elected. Besides the fact that Palin is a walking embodiment of epic fail, their campaign carried a lot of blatant much anti-Muslim baggage. I’m glad the likes of Gayle Quinnell, the McCain supporter that didn’t trust Obama because he was “an Arab,” won’t have any more say in things than they deserve.
The other feeling I have is of concern for all Muslims in their support for Barack Obama. Most Muslims I know voted and supported Obama, either on the basis of his superior domestic policies or the negative characteristics of McCain and his ilk. Obama’s the candidate who explicitly stated supporting the closing of Guantanamo Bay. That, amongst other reasons, is why we can consider him a lesser of two evils. However, I really advise us Muslims to take Obama’s victory with a grain of salt.
Obama has stated he wants to send forces into Pakistan, as well as increase focus in Afghanistan. This is very worrisome for me as a Muslim, because with the way US Foreign policy goes, invading primarily Muslim lands has been nothing short of disastrous.
So while we may get excited and get somewhat emotional of having the candidate we voted for win, I want to remind everyone that Barack Obama is not perfect. He is not a savior or Mehdi for us, and he is not our avenue for sole trust in all affairs. He’s a human being, and a politician at that. Therefore, he is going to make mistakes. Better to believe this now, and remember it when conflicts between the US’ interests come between ours, especially on a foreign level.
We ask Allah protect us and bring us justice.
.P.S. Check out these same thoughts, along with the thoughts of Yasir Qadhi, Navaid Aziz, Imam AbdulNasir Jangda, Yaser Birjas and others at: MM’s 2008 Presidential Elections Post-Mortem: Yes We Can, Insha’Allah
14 Comment(s)
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Though I did not vote for either of the main candidates (voted independent), one thing that came about with Obama’s election is hope. We heard this many times in the past 24 hours, but watching various communities (espeically African-American) across America and the world, it seems people have a new found trust in this government and that the future is bright. And its something that I got even caught up in. It truly is remarkable to picture an African-American as the President of the United States. Picture a caucasion as the president of an Arab or Asian country. Its something no one really thought will come to fruition. Maybe in 40-50 years, we’ll have a Muslim as president (iA)!
One thing that this election taught us, is that we as Muslims need to get involved in politics. When there is breakdown of voters, we hear African-American, Hispanic, and Asian breakdowns, but not as Muslims. Because we dont get out there to have our voices heard. We will not be taken seriously if we dont get involved with OUR government. Dont let other folks tell you America is not our home. That we should only concern ourselves with our motherlands. That maybe true. We should never forget our people back home. But this is our home too and we need to let people know that.
Only time will tell how this presidency will go. Insha Allah he does well, for the sake of Muslims and non-Muslims allover. However, all of us needs to keep on eye open and realize change wont happen over night. Patience is the key.
The Traveler | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
The US has been conducting operations in the NWFP territory of Pakistan for sometime. The only difference under Obama is that they won’t be so damned sneaky about it now.
I really don’t see a US presence in Pakistan going anywhere outside the NWFP. It’s not like Pakistan has any precious resources to offer them aside from child labor (which they get anyway). Otherwise, we probably would have been invaded long ago!
Osman | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Misspoke, meant to say Waziristan, not NWFP.
Osman | Nov 7, 2008 | Reply
u changed ur logo man….
jss | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
Great post! It would have been awesome if Jordan had been there along with the Bulls.
Far be it from me to criticize anyone’s prayer but maybe instead of asking Allah for justice, you should have asked for mercy. I’m not prepared to face His justice, but His mercy is another story.
Asad123 | Nov 10, 2008 | Reply
Assalamu alaykum, SaqibSaab
How are you brother? I hope you are well. Could you leave a comment on http://www.fisabilillah12.wordpress.com. thank you
Wassalam
Redwan Ahmed | Nov 11, 2008 | Reply
what’s with the ever changing layout? none (aside from the limited edition post election day layout) have been as good as the original, IMO.
Osman | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
Our President Elect takes office during one of the most trying times in our planet’s history. We can’t expect an instant miracle, and compromise is always the name of the game. However, I refuse to believe that in the midst of this incredible trial, he would immediately start reneging on all his promises. The stakes are too dire. I pray for all of us, as Muslims and citizens of this world, that he succeeds in getting this country back on track and reintroducing some sanity to America’s foreign policy.
Fatima | Nov 16, 2008 | Reply
Saqib - Where is the video from ISNA 08! The Orientalism one with Y cubed or rather Y squared
MR | Nov 18, 2008 | Reply
In Congress, Emanuel has been a consistent and vocal pro-Israel hardliner, particularly close to right-wing politicians such as Ariel Sharon and Bibi Netanyahu, sometimes even more so than President Bush. In June 2003 he signed a congressional letter criticizing Bush for being weak in his support of Israel. The letter, signed by 34 Democrats, stated, “We were deeply dismayed to hear your criticism of Israel for fighting acts of terror.” The letter supported Israel’s policy of assassinating Palestinian political leaders because it “was clearly justified as an application of Israel’s right to self-defense.”
Muslim | Nov 18, 2008 | Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgpJUlzoKTg
Muslim | Nov 18, 2008 | Reply
http://www.anwar-alawlaki.com/2008/11/05/now-that-the-elections-are-over/
Muslim | Nov 18, 2008 | Reply
I think it is quite hilarious how he appoints Zionist Jews to be a part of his administration. lol
I think so far he appointed three.
But yeah, go Obama!
Mr GQ | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
All the people who voted for Obama have aided the Kuffar against the believers since he had clearly stated that he will wage war against other Muslims way before he was elected into office.
To find out the ruling of those who aid the disbelievers against the believers please read this book written by the grandson of Shaykh Muhammad Abdul Wahhab Rahimulllah:
http://www.archive.org/download/guidebooks/dalaail.pdf
Muslim | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply