Obama's first year: Embracing More Credible Historical Narratives

One example of such better narratives can be found in the works of Richard Bulliet, who teaches in the Department of History at Columbia University. His critically acclaimed book, The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilization, argues that the civilizations of the Middle East and the West share a common cultural tradition.

By fedwa

January 13, 2009 at 5:56AM

When President Obama won the election, the world celebrated for many reasons. At the national level, many African Americans and immigrants celebrated because they felt his election opened the door for them to join the fabric of American society and participate and contribute to the growth of our country.

Disfranchised groups, when given voice and space, are transformed into groups that can enrich and contribute to society. President Obama, who is an African American with strong connections with the grassroots, understands the importance of reaching out to disfranchised groups.

Our country now suffers greatly from a clash of misunderstandings with the Arab and Muslim worlds. There is a master historical narrative which has been accepted without allowing other, more credible narratives to challenge it. One example of such better narratives can be found in the works of Richard Bulliet, who teaches in the Department of History at Columbia University. His critically acclaimed book, The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilization, argues that the civilizations of the Middle East and the West share a common cultural tradition.

As an American Muslim, what I would like President Obama to do is to open his heart and mind to this new narrative while reaching out to Arab and Muslim Americans. There is a large number of Arab and Muslim American scholars, intellectuals and activists who have a strong understanding of American culture and way of life, as well as Arab and Islamic culture. This group should be utilized as a bridge between America and the Arab and Muslim world.

The other thing I hope President Obama does is reach out to Keith Ellison and Andre Carson. Both are African American Congressmen and Muslims with credibility and respect amongst Muslims. These men can build bridges locally and internationally.

One thing I hope President Obama does not do is to follow the divisive existing narrative that ignores the Arab-American and Muslim-American communities. I hope he doesn't treat them the way African Americans have been treated: marginalizing their voices and asking them to just sit at the sidelines and condemn terrorism and not use their voices for the many other things that can benefit our country.

about the writer

about the writer

fedwa