Foes Use Obama's Muslim Ties to Fuel Rumors About Him

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 29, 2007; Page A01

In his speeches and often on the Internet, the part of Sen. Barack Obama's biography that gets the most attention is not his race but his connections to the Muslim world.

Since declaring his candidacy for president in February, Obama, a member of a congregation of the United Church of Christ in Chicago, has had to address assertions that he is a Muslim or that he had received training in Islam in Indonesia, where he lived from ages 6 to 10. While his father was an atheist and his mother did not practice religion, Obama's stepfather did occasionally attend services at a mosque there.

Despite his denials, rumors and e-mails circulating on the Internet continue to allege that Obama (D-Ill.) is a Muslim, a "Muslim plant" in a conspiracy against America, and that, if elected president, he would take the oath of office using a Koran, rather than a Bible, as did Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the only Muslim in Congress, when he was sworn in earlier this year.

In campaign appearances, Obama regularly mentions his time living and attending school in Indonesia, and the fact that his paternal grandfather, a Kenyan farmer, was a Muslim. Obama invokes these facts as part of his case that he is prepared to handle foreign policy, despite having been in the Senate for only three years, and that he would literally bring a new face to parts of the world where the United States is not popular.Full story.....

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4 comments:

Pak Zawi said...: They are no different too when it comes to religions or race. Only that they regard everything that they do is right while others are all wrong. Democracy American Style.; November 30, 2007 at 9:41 AM
gram.kong said...: There is no doubt it is a great nation, but it has one of the worst foreign policy since the moron in the Oval office took over as President.What democarcy ?.Is what they are doing in Guantanamo not an infringement of human rights ?

Just watch him, he may bomb Iran before he leaves office.

Poor Obama, now they call him a Muslim and even worse, planted by the Muslim world to take over America.Guess where that coming from? They didn't want to say he is black because if they did, they can lose a lot of black votes, so it is very convenient to brand him as a Muslim, the most hated people in America at the moment.The average American are gullible enough to believe it.; November 30, 2007 at 5:59 PM
Mat Salo said...: H-L,

In a way, I am a product of the American establishment, having spent my college years there. By and large, the people (at least on campuses) are fairly liberal, broadminded and tolerant. But the same cannot be said of the executive. My American friends are constantly apologising for their President. American foreign policy these days is nowhere reflective of the people. I suppose it's the same with us, having to apologize for the embarrassing gaffes or sheer lunacy of our YB's --especially me, living and working in Indonesia. In fact, I see some parallels between UMNO/Malay and US' Republican's WASP, notwithstanding that our flags are somewhat similiar. It's a subject that I'd like to explore, the similarities I mean.

As for Obama, you are right. The GOP can't alienate the black voters so now the do the next best thing: raise the spectre of Islam and all its 'negative' connotations to discredit him.; December 1, 2007 at 1:18 AM
gram.kong said...: Adding insult to injury.He is likely to lose because he is black.Those who are naive would believe in the mud slinging campaign.

The average American are fairly nice but they are also ignorant about the rest of the world.; December 3, 2007 at 8:06 AM