• 
• 
• 

It was refreshing to hear the leader of the world's top superpower, President Barack Hussein Obama, speak so frankly and intelligently about his own country and his thoughts on Islam. Of course, this is just the beginning. Words are words; they are spoken every day in all sorts of circumstances. However, Obama's words about Islam were special because no other US leader has ventured that far with similar conviction. He dared say things that were considered taboo.

Applause, applause, applause!

Certainly, for the rest of his presidency, he will have to spend time explaining to the world what he said in Cairo on Thursday. After this, Obama will be judged on his deeds, not just his words, especially with regard to the relations the United States has with the Middle East.

Of course, he has said all the right things about forging a partnership between the West and the Muslim world. The next move is to make sure that the gap of misperception between the US and Muslims narrows quickly.

Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York's World Trade Centre, the fear of the average American has turned into a global nightmare for everyone. The Americans blindly backed any attempt that gave them a sense of security, however false. They did not question the war in Iraq, nor did they raise an eyebrow over the many other shenanigans of the previous presidency, all due to that overwhelming need for security.

When America is not secure, the rest of the world gets chills down its spine. Luckily, this chilly feeling is changing fast under Obama's leadership. There is optimism and prevailing goodwill even among the enemies, who believe that there are new breakthroughs with the US and its overall foreign policy.

They are hoping that he will stick to his guns, because some of his comments on the Middle East might cause a rupture between him and the American elite.

For example, he has emphasised the special bond between the US and Israel while he spoke movingly about the plight of the Palestinians. He also committed to supporting the Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and statehood.

This was new coming from a US president. Now he has to convince the Israeli government, especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that his advocacy of the continued expansion of the settlement area in Gaza would be conducive to peace and security in the Middle East. The US position is clear on the two-state solution.

Obama surprised many Arab leaders by citing Koranic verses talking about the common bonds between different faiths. The Koran tells us, he emphasised: "O mankind! We have created you male and female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

As if that was not enough, he also quoted the Bible. He reminded us that it says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God."

It would be difficult to imagine the same wisdom demonstrated by Arab leaders.

Of course, the first black president in the US can break old moulds more readily than anybody else and shatter stereotypical thinking without any difficulties. He can do just that at this moment in time. People around the world are curious about Obama and what he really stands for in the real world.

The Middle East conflict, in a way, will serve as a litmus test for him. Indeed, watching him on television, one could tell he felt comfortable among Muslim people. He often said his experience as a child growing up in Indonesia and Kenya had helped shape him and his religious beliefs. That helps explain why he is a very cosmopolitan man.

The Americans should be proud that they have elected a leader who is not afraid to tell it like it is, which can be very painful in international politics. Looking back, it was also strange that the very same voters picked a warmonger as president for the past eight years.

Obama is embarking on an uncharted journey both inside and outside the US. What he said about the situation in Middle East will one day come back to haunt him unless he turns everything he is talking about today into action.

In the end, the legacy of Obama's presidency and the US leadership in the world will not be one of words but of action. With a long history of self-indulgent abuse of power, the US is now getting a second chance with Obama.