I am a Muslim Arab, in my actions oriented very to the left, in my convictions.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
In the West, you have always associated the Islamic faith 100 percent with Arab culture. This in itself is a fundamentalist attitude and it is mistaken.
I did a lot of things as a Muslim that I am sorry for now.
I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.
I am certainly not a good Muslim. But I am able now to say that I am Muslim; in fact it is a source of happiness to say that I am now inside, and a part of the community whose values have always been closest to my heart.
You in the West have been sold the idea that the only options in the Arab world are between authoritarian regimes and Islamic jihadists. That's obviously bogus.
At times one feels that what is being said in the West is that the fact that you are a Muslim predisposes you to this blind, stupid terrorism.
I saw Islam as the correct way to live, and I chose to try to live that way.
I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
I'm a good Muslim and I'm only interested in Islam.
I'm half Egyptian, and I'm Muslim. But I grew up in Canada, far from my Arab roots. Like so many who straddle East and West, I've been drawn, over the years, to try to better understand my origins.
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