'sign of weakness'

Obama speech would be a 'sign of weakness'
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 12/12/2008 6:00:00 AM

A couple of prominent Islamic critics are concerned about Barack Obama's plans to give "a major address" in an Islamic capital soon after taking office.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, the president-elect said he wants to mend America's image in the Muslim world. "I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular," he stated. Obama also promised an "unrelenting" desire to "create a relationship of mutual respect and partnership in countries and with peoples of good will who want their citizens to prosper together." Brigitte Gabriel is founder and president of ACT! for America, and the author of They Must Be Stopped: Why We Must Defeat Radical Islam and How We Can Do It. She says Obama seems to have forgotten who attacked who on September 11, 2001. "America would have been minding its own business if it wasn't for us being attacked on 9-11," she suggests. "So for Obama to imply that he wants to go give an address in an Islamic capital to repair America's image sends a message to the Muslim street that America is in the wrong." Best-selling author Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch is also critical of Obama's decision to speak from an Islamic capital. "His new approach is likely to be seen only as a sign of weakness and an opportunity for Muslims in the Islamic world to try to gain concessions from the United States that could be damaging," he offers. Both Gabriel and Spencer believe the jihad against America will continue regardless if Obama appeases the Muslim world.