As President Obama begins a trip to the Middle East beginning with his arrival today in Saudi Arabia, the issue of religion and religious difference has become the dominating context. Many are – like Gary Bauer writing in Politico – urging him to use his promised speech to "the Muslim world" to address the problems of religious persecution and religious freedom in that area of the world:
Given his popularity in the Muslim world and in Europe, Obama has the political capital to make a difference for religious freedom, and Cairo would be a great place to broach the subject.
Obama justified drastic action for our nation’s economy and businessws
by saying there is “great opportunity in the midst of great crisis.” He should apply the same mind-set to religious persecution.
The President, for his part, is raising eyebrows with a television interview (via Howard Friedman) in which he said "the United States and the West generally, we have to educate ourselves more effectively on Islam."
His speech in Cairo is scheduled for June 4. Stay tuned.
