Barack Obama Hopes to Reposition the U.S. in Muslim Eyes

His name, a point of emphasis among conservative pundits who would have seen him fail, would appear to be the first step in bridging the chasm between the U.S. and Muslims around the world. But if Barack "Hussein" Obama has anything to say about it, a new day will soon dawn in America in which the world looks about the country with respect and admiration rather than the loathing and vitriol often aimed at the states from those in the Middle East.

Various incidents during the Bush years have seen a further erosion of already-tender relations between the U.S. and the oil-rich Middle East countries. The war in Iraq, interrogation of prisoners at Gitmo and poor treatment of inmates at Abu Ghraib prison all went a long way toward making America public enemy number one in Muslim nations. Now, Obama promises to "reboot America’s image" and, as tradition dictates, will have his full name, Hussein and all, read upon his swearing-in ceremony. Further, he promises to give a speech about renewed relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world in a Muslim capital. Said Obama of that promise, "It’s something I intend to follow through on. We’ve got a unique opportunity to reboot America’s image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular. So we need to take advantage of that."

With regard to using his full name during the inauguration ceremony, Obama noted, "The tradition is that they use all three names and I will follow the tradition, not trying to make a statement one way or another."