Obama Sends Message and Hope to World

Sumber :

VIVAnews – Barack Hussein Obama, as per the US Constitution, officially became President of the United States of America as of 12.00 noon American Eastern Standard Time, 20 January 2009, or 12.00 midnight Western Indonesian Time.

Obama’s inauguration has multiple meanings and creates hopes across the globe, where non-Americans also celebrate the occasion. In Indonesia, there were parties at Obama’s elementary school, at JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta and at Ritz Carlton Jakarta.

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim country. In his speech, he sent a message to the Muslim countries, “To the Muslim world, we will seek a new way forward based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” said the new President after he took the presidential oath.

Obama made a point to state that America is a nation that consists of many faiths: “Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.” The diversity in faith, language and culture, “drawn from every end of this Earth,” according to the first African American US President, together with “the bitter swill of civil war and segregation,” are what makes the United States stronger and more united.

With that, he delivers a message of hope that resonates not only across America but also throughout the world. “We cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that lines of tribes shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself,” said President Obama.

In light of terrorist acts and threats across the world, Obama sent a message to the leaders of those who are against the US and the West. The world has been rife with terrorist acts and threats, including the recent Mumbai tragedy and the Marriott bombing in Islamabad. In Indonesia a series terrorist attacks occurred from 2002 through 2005, then came the execution of the trio Bali bombers, and most recently the arrest of two terrorist cells in Indonesia.

Obama reminded those who are against the West that violence and destruction is not the correct approach. “To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy,” he said.

An even stronger message against terrorism was delivered. Obama said that America will not apologize for its way of life, will remain tough in facing threats and will defeat terrorism. "For those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you," he said.

The new President of the United States also made a promise to those third world countries, in terms of those of live in poverty. “We pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds,” he said.

To that effect, he reminded more developed countries of their roles:  “And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.”

Tens and perhaps hundreds of millions listened to his 20-minute speech, co-authored by 27-year old Jon Favreau.

In Indonesia, in at least two events, at JW Marriott Hotel and the Ritz Carlton, Jakarta, hundreds were glued to the screens listening to the historical speech.

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