Obama issues special Hajj message to world's Muslims

(UPDATE: A news video update on the Hajj has been added below.)

Statement by the President on Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha, as provided by the White House
Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions.

During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God.

This year, I am pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the Saudi Health Ministry to prevent and limit the spread of H1N1 during Hajj. Cooperating on combating H1N1 is one of the ways we are implementing my administration's commitment to partnership in areas of mutual interest.

On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend our greetings during this Hajj season – Eid Mubarak.   ###

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Photo: Associated Press (Mecca)

Comments

[gypsy rose]

It helps sever and break away the Muslim factions who would commit violence and hatred.
_________________________________________________________________

That's a real comfort.
We'll kiss you up so you don't decide to go jihad on our Country.

[Vickie]

It puzzles me. The more this President seems to insult his own country, the higher the praise from liberals. It is some sort of self-flagellation they are reveling in or something.

[Susan Grant]

Let me see if I have this right. We have a president in OUR White House who has only been in office for eleven months, has accomplished NOTHING, except for getting us deeper into debt with his foolish ideas, and he sends a greeting to the muslim world, BUT he can't seem to get 'in touch' with the voters in the United States of America. Barack Hussein is turning out to be the most egotistical, narissistic, blatant "Liar-in-Chief" this country has ever had.Impeachment would be too good for him, but at least it would be a start to cleaning out the gene pool in Washington and getting Mr.'Savior of Nothing' Obama out of OUR White House. he is defiling the office of the presidency.

[Doug Kimzey]

The president most certainly does not speak for me. He has much more in common with Nidal Hassan (the Fort Hood murderer) than any of the victims and most Americans.

The current administration has done considerable damage to the financial infrastructure, foreign relations with most important allies and has cost our men and women in Afghanistan untold hardship. This is not an American President but a fifth column

[A real adult]

Disappointing that some Christians (and Jews) are such crybabies that they can't stand Obama saying anything respectful to Muslims. Though these people consider themselves the "real" Americans, you can see the naked roots of their hatred and intolerence. The previous administration fanned the flames and manipulated these whackos quite expertly, but now that a decent human being is President, they are throwing a tantrum. Too bad. Here's a newsflash, whiners: your ideas suck.

[Gina]

As always, from Obama... screw the Americans. Where is our Thanksgiving wish? This IS America and he IS (supposed to be) our leader. Muslims get special wishes from him and Americans, on our special day, get nothing? Nice, real nice. We need a real president. An American president! Impeach Obama!

[Gone Orea]

1/3 of the world's population is Muslim. Think about that: 1/3. A handful of nut cases do some horrible things, and redneck xenophobes write off 1/3 of the world's population.

Should we start hating all Christians everytime some freaky evangelical bombs an abortion clinic or drowns her kids in a river? We need to put things in proper perspective. The earth is not at the center of the universe, and America is not the center of the world.

Interesting that Muslims observe Eid-ul-Adha by giving food to the hungry. Clearly people worthy of your hatred, right?

[dr.d]

I am proud that our president has such grace and remains above the knee jerk complaints of every right wingnut who opposes or whines about every single effort this man makes on behalf of this country and our future. These Palineans and Beckboobs don't require individual voices. Whatever our president does, they are against. Now even the historically respectable Republican party has become so echo chamber like, that you only have to say "And the Republicans oppose", in stereo. Sign the mindless pledge to follow the dogma and chant the slogans. To think, is to be an "elitist" so sign the conservative catechism id card
and be careful, you might learn some civility or god forbid, humility. Diverse world of beliefs, wow, there's a new concept.

[Estella]

To the Obama haters. What is wrong with a US President wishing millions of Muslims seeking peace and closness with their Lord well. To the Jewish comment we give you billions a dollars a year and weapons. Isn't that enough. We killed hundred of thousands of innocent Muslims, over 3,000 in the first week of Bush starting the war. Why doesn't that count? So many of you seem to want to continue the arrogance of the Bush/Cheney years that got us hated all over the world.

[Hananova]

Rahm Emmanuel and his stooge are flushing America down the toilet.

The Pampered Princess wants everyone to know that it's okay to portray whites, republicans, men as animals and apes, but not her highness.

[Dakota]

Another example of the endless chief Turkey. Herman (see below) must live in a cave, totally oblivious to what is happening to our country. 2010 is coming up. Vote! Send a message to the idiots.

[Hugh Mc - Dallas]

Abraham was sacrificing his son Isaac and not his son Ishmael. Why would Muslims celebrate this? Our president is bereft of Biblical knowledge but rooted in Koran. God, the One and only God, watches over all of His children - Jews especially as they are His chosen people. They were chosen to bring His words to the world. His final Word is is Son Jesus. God will bring all who love Him to paradise; all others will be lost; period!!

[JR]

How can the Hajj be the world's most diverse gathering when non-Muslims aren't allowed?????

[jason]

Thank you President Obama! I am glad that we have a leader that can respect other cultures.

[RCMartin]

Yet again this President, Barry the Bow Boy, panders to America's enemies and ignores entirely the nation he's supposed to be leading. Where's the warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to Americans? Afterall Thanksgiving is an American holiday.

[Steve]

The three religions share their ancestor's willingness to slay an innocent child. All three Abrahamic religions are based upon barbarism. Watch God on Trial. The rabbai says when god asked us Abraham to slay his son, he should have said No! Slay me! That would be courage. Courage is better than blind obedience. The Nazis had that. We don't need blind obedience.

[John Schaffer]

OK, it's fine if the President wants to talk to Muslims on our Thanksgiving holiday. But at least get it right about what people believe.

Obama quote: "Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God. "

Three great religions of the world don't celebrate the same story. Muslims beleive Abraham was offering the son of self effort to God, Ishmael, the one born from the bondwoman. But, Jews and Christians believe he was willing to offer to God the son of promise, Isaac. This really does change the way one looks at things, regarding what the truth is. But, I don't think our president cares much about the particulars of truth, at least in this instance.

[Obama is a true Muslim]

America, wake up! if you can't see the facts --shame on you...

Obama won't even wear an American Flag pin on his suit... May the Lord Jesus Christ save our country...

We'll be hear when the walls come down~

[Combat Snoopy]

If Obama stood for world peace, he'd urge the Muslims to stop their aggression against the Jewish settlement. He'd stop allowing the MSM to blame the troops when it was the Muslims who attacked the Jews after the British Parliament declared Israel a state. The trouble is that the U.S. does not hold the key to Islamic happiness if it's land that they want, Those cowards have nothing to lose if they attack us. They have not pursued more peaceful means to get Israel.
If they're not thankful for the peace and prosperity they've experienced in America (I KNOW successful Muslims in the U.S., this is true) but they're still throwing accusations against the U.S. because they're cowards. It's the same reason why they're attacking Jews. funnier yet, there are more Jews in the U.S. (who live peacefully amongst Muslims here) than there are in Israel.
Instead, Obama blames the U.S. and commmits treason to gain political power for himself. I don't care that he's a Muslim, I'm disgusted that he chooses to use it against us.

[dan]

Not in my name!

[imthinkingimthinking]

If you are not muslim the message does not apply to you. If you are muslim, I guess you have just gotten yourselves a muslim "pope".

[James]

WHY, would our 1st 1/2 caucasian President send such a message to the peaceful Muslims? Peaceful Muslims need to show me some outrage about killing in the name of their peaceful religion.I haven't seen it and we will never see. After the shootings at Ft. Hood we only heard about how they were scared about the repercussions that it might have in their peaceful communties. If they were outraged they did not express it because they were scared that their peaceful brothers would turn on them as happens in Musim countries.

[T.S. Brinkley]

Sometimes, when you make too big of an attempt to include everyone and offend no one, you offend many.

This is offensive to me, and 94% of Americans. PERIOD.

President Obama, I don't know where your priorities are, but they are not with us. This is Thanksgiving in the United States. This is one of our most historical holidays, but also a very Christian holiday. Depending on what data you read, somewhere between 84% and 90% of this country is Christian. Respect that! Be tolerent of that!

There are countless religions in the world, and many holidays occur among those diffent religions everyday. Why you feel the need to highlight a Muslim holiday, on the eve of one of our most important national holidays, makes me question you.

President Obama, I don't think you mean to offend the vast majority of Americans (which is everyone except that 6% of very liberal Americans who are about all that approves of this), but where are your priorities and who do you identify with? I just wonder sometimes if it is us...

[umbriadan]

How sad that so many of the comments are from people who seem to have no spirit of Thanksgiving, or even Christian love, at all. Anyone with a brain knows that the President also issued the usual Thanksgiving proclamation that addresses us 'real American' Christians - but do I really have to enlighten anyone that the 'Lord' of the Jews and Christians that he speaks of so eloquently in that other document is the very SAME 'Lord', aka 'Allah', of Islam? I think it is a step in the right direction to make sure that American moslems (and those around the world) feel that they are included in our wonderful day of thanks to God, and I salute the President for thinking of it. 'Sour grapes' seems to be the food du jour for these mean-spirited folks who condemn his action. Hopefully, their Thanksgiving supper will have lots of 'sour grapes' to satisfy their taste.

[God is the gratest]

wow, Obama remembers muslims once in all of U.S. history and all you people can complain about is buildings falling down, calling 911 and that Americans have been forgotten. Keep watching your movies, this is were u learn the most from.

[zj]

Hi,

Most world problems are result of incorrect, incomplete or insufficient information about a situation and second is inclination for some men in every group towards injustice.
All of this in some way or the other comes from greed and selfishness. Environment also is the key ....behavior of man may be quite different in different environments.

Problem solving begins with working towards good trustworthy information, education, communication, looking at positive sides and working with those that are going to be constructive. Hats off to Obama for reaching out to all instead of alienating a group. This I sincerely hope would bring more peace and love in this world of human brotherhood. I am sure this would bring good results (I trust in God) and we should never change regarding this and this would help improve world opinion about US.

[Obama is not American]

Obama is nothing more than a racist. I wish him the worst of every walk in life that he takes. He is the worst thing that has ever happened to this country, and we can thank the blacks that our ancestors captured many years ago. If we would have kept them in the cotton fields and out of politics then this would have never happened. He is trash, serves no purpose, and is a disgrace to our country. The negros should be proud because they elected someone based on color alone. He's not even full blooded! He can wish a happy holiday to the suicide bombers but cannot even salute an American soldier in a casket when the rest of his staff were. Sad that we are in this situation.

[Diana]

This is not a Christian holiday, there is no special message to be sent out to them today. This is Thanksgiving, a true "American" holiday in which we celebrate the pilgrims who gave thanks, via a feast, to the Native Americans. In return for all their help, we slaughtered them and took their land. Yes, this is what happened beyond the turkey and corn and stuffing. On the contrary, there is a legitimate Muslim holiday today, which is part of their religion. There are Muslims that are Americans. Our president has the right to celebrate with them. Ignoring them would not be very American of him would it? Isn't this the world's melting pot? I'm more than sure he will wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah and so on and so forth. But for now, it's their day.

[Don Snyder]

Obama can take all his muslim friends and go back to Kenya

[Chris Boulware]

If my brother keeps kicks me ,calls me ungodly names, and takes the lives of my innocent neighbors, then calls out spin doctors to say my brother loves me. This being the facts why am I chastise as being insensitive to my brother. Maybe my brother needs to re-access his image of his god. If my God created Adam from the dust of the earth, why does my brother believe that his god needs him to carry out my brothers personal ideal of justice. My brother believes his god is both violent and peaceful.
Happy Thanksgiving to Christians everywhere and to all men who respect all people unconditionally
Mr President read my brothers book carefully before you embrace his purpose. My God Love towards me is a Gift .... if not men would boast and say to look what I have done to appease you .. imagine your child trying to appease you with violence and peace (mixed signals often confuses me too)

I truly love you brother....unconditionally

[DeerHunter4]

He should go celebrate with them and stay out of America for good!

[Valerie]

I did not vote for him, regretted it at first and now am happy that I didn't. He is a Muslim through and through. And to think that John F. Kennedys' catholicism was an ISSUE when HE ran for president in the 60's!!!!!!!!!!!!

My fellow Americans, I ask you this...........what kind of world are we living in when our current US president chooses an AMERICAN holiday to give greetings to MUSLIMS, EXCLUDING ALL OTHERS and performers on t.v. are FRENCH kissing members of the same sex and simulating oral sex????

All I can say is the next election, every single adult over the age of 18 better be voting their conscience and hopefully there will be enough brave, GOOD people to come forward to give us a REAL choice for a leader.

HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO ALL~

[Proud Patriot]

What is the point? Just keep religion out of it. I understand it is important to have a worldly view/presence but this country needs more fixin's than a Thanksgiving meal!!!Road to recovery, ha!!!

[Nick]

OMG HE'S TALKING TO MUSLIMS!?!?! ON A MUSLIM HOLY DAY!?!? HOW DARE HE...

Oh wait, thats roughly 1/3rd of the worlds population celebrating good will and peace to all. How... terroristy and evil they are..

BUT HES NOT TALKING TO CHRISTIANS!?!?

Oh wait, Thanksgiving isn't christian, and oh wait, he delivered a different speech specifically for Thanksgiving.

You rightwing re-tar..err -publicans make me sick with your biogtry and extreme ignorance. You will all be cautionary tales to future generations about why a strong public education system is vital to the health of a nation.

[jay]

You guys are not getting it - this out reach is very clever technique by US administration. I agree with this technique:

With just using polite words, one can insight revolt from inside Iran without a single bullet being fired. You can see the evidence which started few weeks after Obama delivered his first middle-east "reach out" speech.

With just using polite words, one can also quell Taliban and El-Quida popular support. Keyword in this sentence is "popular", that is, there will be minority radical element, without much popular support.

How can this actually happen with polite words? Well, who is the enemy now? US does seem to be the enemy as they are using such polite and "reach out" sort of language. Hmmm.

Ask Glen Beck or Limbaugh, perhaps they will educate you more what can "sweet and polite" language do you masses.

Keep in mind, "sweet and polite" language does not mean that you mean the words sincerely!

[Mark]

My first reaction was like many of yours.

But after thinking it through I agree with Herman that this is a wise move,

This helps to appease the Muslims on the edge of possibly becoming a suicidal jihadist and makes the Taliban and Hamas claims of American arrogance and crusader mentality hard to defend.

How do you fight an enemy that WELCOMES death?
You change the attitudes that create these people.

[Michael Patmas, MD]

Very charming. How about visiting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan?

[Justin]

To those who judge and criticize anybody for being positive and wishing others good will.

You are the reason why bad things happen to people, why the world has problems. Instead of blaming everything on others from your armchair why not look upon yourself and criticize, why not ask yourself "What can I constructively do to make the world better?”

[Freddo]

To the Muslims by a Muslim.....no such message for Christians, who founded his own country. Oh wait, Kenya isn't a Christian country. Never mind.

[sbisking]

Herman are you absolutely insane, I hope you're being sarcastic.

[Control Freaks]

And you all expected something different from a person who himself is a muslim?, from someone that is not even a natural-born citizen of this country, but yet he violated the laws of this land in lying to the American people so he could become the president?, and his Aunt STILL LIVES HERE AS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN?????

Why do you people sound so surprised?

We all need to get together as a country of countrymen and get this perpetrator of fraud out of OUR White House!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hoOC_fi8AA

[Mongo]

He has apologized to every nation that sponsers terrorism, sold our kids wealth down the road, tranpled the constitution, and made America a laughingstock for the world.
But...
YOU PEOPLE LET HIM GET AWAY WITH IT.
So shut up and blame your own disgusting apathy.

[Freddo]

And to all you Muslims and Obama fans thinking about blowing yourself up, I hear from a credible source that those 72 virgins look amazingly like Helen Thomas. Thought you'd like to know....

[D Redmann]

If it wasdn't for muslms there wouldn't be a war asnywhere on the planet. Why isn't that mentioned by any in the press?

[badboy]

Once a Muslim always a Muslim.

[SunnyChicago]

Obama is not my president says: "Obama is....... and not Americans and Christians"

Ma be because it's not Christmas yet?

[Trevor Hansen]

Could America be the dumbest country in the world? Yes. We elected Bush twice and then we go and elect an even less effective guy in Obama. Unbelievable.

[Control Freaks]

Come on CDZ, put the fork down. Just like the rest of us, you have to eat just a little and approve a lot.

[Steve]

One day I hope to be a proud American again but it is not this day or any day I see in the near future. America will continue to suffer under our new owners the new power elite who know what is best for us. When I hear the people complain that put this man in the highest office in the land I think to myself how stupid and lazy my fellow Americans have become always looking for a new Sheppard to lead them to the promise land. Save your pennies before its over you will need them. Wake up and vote for freedom or become a slave. Next year will be the most important time to save the future for ourselves and especially the young in our society. Happy Holidays to my fellow Americans.

[congressive]

Do you Obama haters not have "teh Google"? YouTube carries Obama's Rosh Hashana speech from September. You just hate. Blindly hate. Facts be damned. If Obama DOES give a Christian-friendly speech, well, he must be lying. If he gives a Jewish-friendly speech, well, he must be a hypocrite.

Obama is YOUR president. Swallow that. But he's also Muslim-America's president, and Jewish-America's president, and atheist-America's president, unlike his predecessor, who was exclusively right-wing Christian-America's president.

May God bless Obama. May Allah bless Obama. May secular science inspire Obama. And may the blind rage of racism be forever conscripted to the fringes of humankind's temporal yet beautiful existence.

Neanderthals.