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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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 OPINION 
9

Obama Deftly Makes Pitch for Muslim Women's Rights

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(Newser) – President Obama skillfully made the case for women's rights in the Muslim world during his Cairo speech today with the help of the hijab, or head scarf, writes Tracy Clark-Flory in Salon. "I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal," he said, demonstrating tolerance and respect before reaching his main points: that women must have the right to education and the right to reject "traditional roles."

"This wee little section on women's rights followed the overall model of his expansive speech," writes Clark-Flory. "He deftly wove his Western, democratic views together with sensitivity, respect, and tolerance for Islamic culture. Some will inevitably call this cowardice; others, like me, call it diplomacy."

U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Sphinx and pyramids outside Cairo.
U.S. President Barack Obama tours the Sphinx and pyramids outside Cairo.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama tours the Sphinx and pyramids outside Cairo.
President Barack Obama tours the Sphinx and pyramids outside Cairo.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama tours the pyramids outside Cairo.
President Barack Obama tours the pyramids outside Cairo.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the audience as he arrives at the podium at Cairo University.
U.S. President Barack Obama waves to the audience as he arrives at the podium at Cairo University.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
President Obama speaks at Cairo University.
President Obama speaks at Cairo University.   (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
A Jordanian vendor arranges his display of traditional hijabs or veils.
A Jordanian vendor arranges his display of traditional hijabs or veils.   (AP Photo/Mohammad abu Ghosh)
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I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous. - President Obama

Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity—men and women—to reach their full potential. - President Obama

I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles, but it should be their choice. - President Obama

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9 comments
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beatmastermcfly
Jun 4, 09 9:30 PM CDT
mmmmm Reply
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-1
NutsInNY
Jun 4, 09 9:31 PM CDT
Indeed, our western focus on the hijab is really superficial and counter to our interests, as well as the interests of Muslim women. They have more basic issues to deal with, yet so often we focus on their headscarves -- as if they aren't truly liberated until the "Muslim Girls Gone Wild" video comes out... They are often very conservative folks (does that offend you?) and our focus on head gear is counterproductive... Good to hear the O-man making sense; I'm starting to like that guy. Reply
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Fondue
Jun 4, 09 9:46 PM CDT
I agree with you on this. There's no need to focus on the hijab. But, I do think they should have the choice to wear it or not.
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IN RESPONSE:
NutsInNY
Jun 4, 09 10:15 PM CDT
You're missing the point. OF COURSE they should have a choice about what they wear! But it's like going anywhere in the world and telling folks they can't wear some specific article of clothing... How useful is that to anyone?... We're too obsessed with that one garment -- Muslim women's headgear -- because it makes them look 'different', and our focus on that is more offensive to such illiberal/conservative cultures than it is productive... Muslim women's needs are more serious than such superficial obsessions on our part. (Imagine going to Texas and saying "No more cowboy hats -- we're here to help you!")
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IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Jun 5, 09 9:14 AM CDT
either that or they are worried that they are going to get the shit beat out them if they don't wear their headscarves...that scarve is symbol of their religion, where they are treated as second class citizens.
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