Do Western countries have a right to demand ‘reciprocation’ from Muslim nations when it comes to freedom of religion? And was President Obama in error to come out apparently in favor of the building of a controversial Muslim community center near New York’s Ground Zero?
Continuing with our global coverage of this expanding controversy, columnist Rufo Gamazo Rico of Spain’s La Opinion de Zemora answers yes to both of those questions, writing that President Obama’s “gaffe” was “grave” – but may not be fatal. Moreover, what is doubtlessly more acutely felt by the Democratic Party leader, is that they give arguments – valuable and free – to his Republican challengers.
For La Opinion de Zemora, Rufo Gamazo Rico writes in part:
It is sometimes difficult to be credible as an impartial voice. Of course, Obama’s declaration in defense of freedom of religion, which should be observed anywhere people worship, is a universal principle. On the other hand, it’s obvious that a great portion of the world doesn’t accept or practice it, this portion being precisely the Islamic nations. One should make it clear: tolerance, in order to be real, fair and effective, must be reciprocal. There is something wrong with a system based on tolerance of others while it remains intolerant; one that enjoys unlimited freedom to extend itself and simultaneously prevent, even with violent means, the propagation and exercise of all others.
They say that the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama continues to lose momentum. It has yet to be demonstrated that his electrifying triumph was just a creation of the media, the political establishment and money. He must have done something right to receive such sincere and enthusiastic accolades within and without the most powerful nation on earth.
But the Obama phenomenon, since his appearance at the pinnacle of global politics, has lost much of its power in a very short period of time. Gaffes like this, unnecessarily and inopportunely interposing himself as a mediator in the controversy over Cordoba House, are grave, since they provoke an outcry from deep within the American heartland and even provoke reverberations outside.
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