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Monday, 12 May 2008
President Apostate?

Edward Luttwak writes about some potential complications of an Obama Presidency:

Because no government is likely to allow the prosecution of a President Obama [for apostasy]— not even those of Iran and Saudi Arabia, the only two countries where Islamic religious courts dominate over secular law — another provision of Muslim law is perhaps more relevant: it prohibits punishment for any Muslim who kills any apostate, and effectively prohibits interference with such a killing.

At the very least, that would complicate the security planning of state visits by President Obama to Muslim countries, because the very act of protecting him would be sinful for Islamic security guards. More broadly, most citizens of the Islamic world would be horrified by the fact of Senator Obama’s conversion to Christianity once it became widely known — as it would, no doubt, should he win the White House. This would compromise the ability of governments in Muslim nations to cooperate with the United States in the fight against terrorism, as well as American efforts to export democracy and human rights abroad.

That an Obama presidency would cause such complications in our dealings with the Islamic world is not likely to be a major factor with American voters, and the implication is not that it should be. But of all the well-meaning desires projected on Senator Obama, the hope that he would decisively improve relations with the world’s Muslims is the least realistic.

Posted on 6:44 AM by Rebecca Bynum
Comments
12 May 2008
Send an emailJames Strong

3 questions:

Why do you think Obama was a muslim?

Why do think he might beat Mc Cain in November?

Why do you think  muslim countries care about fighting terrorism which is directed against Western targets?



12 May 2008
Rebecca Bynum

Mr. Strong, these questions shoud be directed at Mr. Luttwak - I am merely posting his op-ed. However I will answer your questions briefly.

Why do you think Obama was a muslim?

He was born to a Muslim father, so under Islamic law he was born a Muslim.

Why do think he might beat Mc Cain in November?

McCain has tied himself to the disatrous "Light Unto The Muslim Nations" project in Iraq. He seems to believe, as does the current administration, in the Sharansky thesis - that bringing democracy to the Muslim world will increase our security.  The country doesn't buy it.

Why do you think  muslim countries care about fighting terrorism which is directed against Western targets?

I don't.