I was watching the President give his speech and when I heard him say As-Salamu Alaykum my jaw dropped. I was surprised because I know the mind set of Americans when it comes to Islam. I realize more and more when it comes to this President that he is out take the road less traveled. I respect the fact that a leader of the free world knows a little more about theology than the average Joe. What most people don’t realize is that if Moses, Jesus and Prophet Muhammad were alive they would be working together in peace and it would not be any wars. The truth is everyone in that region gives that as a greeting of peace Christians and Jews give that same greeting in the Middle East.

I know a lot of people saw the interview and immediately made up their mind that he was a Muslim. Does it make you a Muslim to respect their faith? If your name is from the history of Islam does that make you a Muslim? If your father and stepfather both practiced Islam does that make you a Muslim?

The Prophet said that anyone who gives you the greeting of peace is a Muslim. The Qur’an says that if you believe in one God and that Muhammad is his messenger then you are a Muslim. Lets back up what is a Muslim? In Islam a Muslim is one who believes in one God. Abraham is considered the father of all Monolithic religions from Judaism to Islam and even Christianity. He destroyed idols and taught the truth of one God. He taught this principle to the Hebrews. Jesus also taught of one God his father and of course Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught the divinity of God.

I say all this to say that the problem is never with religion or the people that God sent to represent them. The problem is always with man and his inability to adapt to things he is not familiar with. When I see the President reaching out to people instead of ignoring them because he doesn’t know their culture I applaud him. The President said loud and clear that he was Christian but all the media outlets ran the fear game and people once again questioned his beliefs.

I hope people realize that, the fact that we have a President who is now willing to talk to people and tell the truth no matter how much it affects his ratings, puts us in much better light around the world. I grew up with the knowledge of Islam and Christianity and I Love Jesus just as much as I do Muhammad and I see no reason to choose. If you meet a Muslim who says he doesn’t believe in the greatness of Jesus you have to remind him that in the Qur’an the Sura titled, Mary Mother of Jesus, describes Jesus as the Messiah son of Mary. If you look up the meaning and understanding of Messiah it means light of the world.

It is funny to me how the Prophet (PBUH) said that “three generations after me would not be of me” and how Jesus said “if you believe in me and Father and be my follower you will do greater works than I”. I see no one doing work greater than Jesus although million claim to follow him. I see plenty sticking to the old ways of Islam. Even though, the Prophet clearly spoke of change and a different teacher coming in the future with clarification on all teachings and understanding of religion. I don’t claim to be a Democrat or Republican but I have to give this President kudos for at least being his own man. Whether he is a Muslim or Christian should be as unimportant as if he was a Republican or Democrat. The question has to be, is he honest and is he representing the ideas and principles that this country was created on? That is that all men are created equally and freedom, justice and equality for all. Until truth prevails my eyes will be watching.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_barack_obama_muslim.htm

http://www.danielpipes.org/5354/confirmed-barack-obama-practiced-islam

http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/24/muslim-barack-obama-opinions-contributors_islamic_president.html

Photography by:(AP Photo/Amr Nab)