Pat Dollard | Young Americans

HASSAN FADLALLAH, LAWMAKER FOR LEBANON’S HEZBOLLAH

“The Islamic world does not need moral or political sermons. It needs a fundamental change in American policy beginning from a halt to complete support for Israeli aggression on the region, especially on Lebanese and Palestinians, to an American withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan and a stop to its interference in the affairs of Islamic countries.”

“The U.S. administration bears the responsibility for the problems that Obama presented. Violence in the region, the source of which is the Zionist entity, American wars, and the attempts to plant rifts between sects is an American project.”

“We have not seen any change in (U.S.) policy toward the Palestinian cause.”

MOHAMMAD MARANDI, HEAD OF NORTH AMERICAN STUDIES AT TEHRAN

UNIVERSITY

“With regard to Iran the tone is significantly more positive than before, compared to the previous (U.S.) administration, though still in some aspects negative. But I think Iranians alongside the people of the region expect the same change that Obama was promising to the American people, for American policies in the Middle East region as well. America has to change. Talking is not enough. He can make a few more speeches but people are starting to ask: What are you going to change? The U.S. has to re-evaluate its policies toward the region, whether toward Iran, or whether toward Palestine.”

“As long as racism and apartheid continue to exist in Palestine there will be no peace in the region. We will not have peace as long as racism and apartheid continue in Palestine.”

MOHAMED HABIB, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD DEPUTY LEADER

“It’s a public relations address more than anything else.”

“There’s an unjust perspective on the part of the American president toward the Palestinian issue, one that does not differ from former President Bush’s and the neoconservatives’ perspective.”

SHEIKH ABDULAHI SHEIKH ABU YUSUF, SOMALI ISLAMIST

“Obama’s speech is good and Islam means peace. Obama, let’s follow the verses you quoted from the Koran.”

“Al Qaeda has misinterpreted Islam and turned out to be the enemy of all mankind. Islam says let all nations live peacefully and may the chaotic ones be punished. Islam does not order anyone to destroy mosques and churches. Westerners, al Qaeda is a bomb you planted — let’s remove it together.”

ISSANDR EL-AMRANI, INDEPENDENT POLITICAL ANALYST IN EGYPT

“I can’t say I am overwhelmingly impressed by the speech. The strongest point was probably that the situation of the Palestinians is intolerable. I would have liked to see a more specific addressing of the question of Gaza, and the ongoing blockade of Gaza, the lack of availability of reconstruction materials.”

RANDA ACHMAWI, DIPLOMATIC EDITOR FOR EGYPT’S AL-AHRAM HEBDO

“America for the first time is adopting a very wise strategy in acknowledging the other and that was clear in every word chosen by President Obama.”

“In this context, where we see an Israeli government who is refusing even the least principles of the two-state solution, he made clear the American vision … There is nothing innovative.”

KHALIL AL-ANANI, POLITICAL ANALYST AT AHRAM FOUNDATION

“This speech was very inspiring and I think many people will welcome it, because he tried to be neutral and honest and objective.”

“The reaction of the audience was very impressive because all the people welcomed his words and gave it huge applause. I think he inspired the whole audience.”

NABIL ABU RDAINAH, SPOKESMAN FOR PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT

“His call for stopping settlement and for the establishment of a Palestinian state, and his reference to the suffering of Palestinians … is a clear message to Israel that a just peace is built on the foundations of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

“President Obama’s speech is a good start and an important step toward a new American policy.”

(Reuters)