Dear Obama, ALL THE BEST BUT PLEASE....

Compiled by Shahid Ali Khan in Riyadh, Sameera Aziz in Jeddah, Joe Avancena, Shabna Aziz and Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani in Dammam

We the people in Saudi Arabia, Saudis and expats alike, generally weclome the promise of change that your presidency brings for the United States and the rest of the world. Like peoples elesewhere across world, we too celebrate your ascendency as the 44th President of the United States and the first black man to lead the mightiest nation in the world. But, like everyone else, we too have concerns about the political and economic disasters you have inherited from ex-president George W. Bush whose eight years in power have changed the way we regard America, its ideals and priorities. Here are some of our thoughts as we wish you all the best. “Be better than Bush.” – Ismael S. Nazer, prominent attorney and legal adviser
“First, he is black and his father is a Muslim – this is the new spirit of America. Second, he has to treat all people, anywhere in the world, equally without prejudice. Third, he must respect all religions. Without these, America will go down, as it nearly did under Bush.” – Najeeb A.R. Al-Zamil, social activist and writer
“President Obama should have the vision to look at the long-term interest of the United States; he should value the interests of America in relations with the Arab and Muslim world. America wasted a lot of opportunities in term of economic, political, social, cultural, etc. during the past American administration. I hope the Obama administration will be different.” – Sheikh Rashed Abdullah Al-Suwaiket, board member, Asharqia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and managing director of the Al-Suwaiket Group of Companies
“Obama was very specific and outspoken about respect for human rights, and we will see how he will handle the Guantanamo issue and his support for human rights worldwide.” – Ibrahim Al-Mugaiteeb, founder and president, Human Rights First
“My advice to President Obama is for him to improve the US foreign policy in order to rehabilitate the image of the country. The present foreign policy of America is so corrupt that even Americans residing overseas are feeling the shame their country has to endure.” – Bidah Al-Gahtani, president of the Eastern Province Retirees Association.
“Obama should take into consideration both sides (Palestinian and Israeli) regarding the issue on Jerusalem.” – Alexander Domingo, Filipino sales engineer
“Obama should stick to his promises because the world is watching. This is where the rise and fall of the United States is anchored.” – Eduardo P. Solar, managing director of a project management company
“Obama must provide more support towards the education of gifted children. And in this regard, he should outreach to the other gifted children around the world, knowing the fact that gifted children around the world deserve the same opportunity as those of the American gifted children.” – Dr. Ibrahim Olwi, director general of the Center for the Gifted Children at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah
“I hope he will fulfill his promise that he will hear the voice of Asia.” – project engineer Ernesto Mapanao
“Obama's biggest battle is how to achieve a balanced world economy. The US economy is so bad it dragged many nations to the economic quagmire. He should focus his target into improving the world global market.” – Ranjit D'Silva, procurement manager, Eastern Province
“The hope we have is very high when an African American presides over the most powerful country in the world. I for one hope and pray that Barack Obama would make right decisions regarding the Middle East issues and end the war in Iraq as he promised during the campaign. I also hope that there would be change in policies and that it would be more easy for foreigners in terms of getting education in America.” – Dr. E.K. Mohammed Shaffe, Principal of Indian International School in Dammam.
“I believe Obama will not repeat the mistakes of President Bush and try to focus on the issues he have in his country rather than trying to turn all the countries in the Middle East a democracy on the expense of the American people and economy.” –K.V. Abdul Ashique, Indian Welfare Organizer
“I have high hopes about the new President of US but my expectations are quite different. I hope that he would be a great leader and an exceptional president America has ever seen but I don't expect any change in America's foreign policies or how they tackle the problems in the Middle East. I think despite having an African American President, America will continue playing the role of big brother who can do anything with other countries without being questioned.” – Ahmed Al Mullah, Chairman of Saudi Film Board
“The entire world has its eyes on Obama and there are lots of expectations from the first African American president of United States. We hope that there would be change in the world because a lot is dependent on how US is dealing with world issues. I also hope that the economic crisis the world is facing would ease and Obama brings out a real solution for the economic problem.” – Asghar Khan, Chairman of Managing Committee of IISD
“I join the spirit of the American public who had the courage to elect an African American as their president and my prayers are with Obama. May Almighty give him the strength to make the right decisions because difficult times are ahead of the new president. He has to deal with two wars and an economic crisis due to those wars. I hope there would be change in America, especially its foreign policy and I hope there would be change in the world and violence would stop.” – Mohan Shornoor, General Secretary Sangchethana Welfare organization, Eastern Province.
“Obama should secure world peace by tackling the so-called war on terror with just and credible steps. Secondly, a financial crisis that first started in the US and had daunting effect on the economies of rest of the world should be addressed with topmost priority. All previous US presidents failed in bringing peace in the Mideast. But softspoken Obama, the first black president of America has demonstrated his diplomatic prowess and the ability to negotiate. As he promised to Americans with a slogan “Yes we can”, I look at Obama now for a change in the American Mideast policy for a long-lasting peace.” – Sami Al-Rajhi, a Saudi banker
“Obama should initiate diplomacy, which is something the new US leader is popular for, to achieve world peace. We want today's world under the new US leadership as a place to live in peace. ” – Bose Chandran, Indian cashier.
“Unlike his predecessor we want Obama to act in a just and fair manner to bring world peace. Everyone knows that the US President has the power to discipline Israel, which has time and again indulged in state-sponsored terrorism and killed Palestinians. The world will be a safe and peaceful place when there is peace in the Middle East. As promised, troops should be pulled out from Iraq as early as possible,” – Yasir Khan, Pakistani clerk.
“Enough is enough. The world has seen enough injustice, unfair treatment and loss of life of innocent people through acts of terrorism. Being powerful does not mean you do whatever you want. Obama can make a difference by putting an end to injustice and stop wrongdoings, which should be his priority,” – Sharaf Abdullah, Saudi public sector employee.
“We know a US president who came with a slogan ‘Yes we can bring peace in the world and make a difference in the common man's life. We want peace in the world.” – Abul Kalam, Bangladeshi storekeeper.
“We want to see a real change in the world, which is possible when the unjust war on terror is stopped. Obama, please make it a priority to stop the so-called ‘war on terror.” – S. Mujeeb, Indian vegetable vendor.
“Obama should win hearts and minds around the world and become a winning American President. But to do this he should first manage to gain the people's lost trust and confidence in America, which comes only when Obama brings peace in the world.” – Indian Manzoor Ali, banker.
“Obama, we are of the same color of skin and unlike your rivals (Republicans) expect from you a fair dealing for people living in the underprivileged countries like Sudan and other African nations.” – Muhammad Omar, Sudanese accountant.
“We expect some swift action on peace in the Middle East during the first 100 days of Obama taking office as President. –Maher Abbas, Syrian engineer.
“I expect Obama to bring peace to the world and hope that the misery of wars like Afghanistan and Iraq never happen again.” – Muhammad Irshad, transport industry worker, Jeddah
“He will be just like Bush.” – Nadim Ahmed, Indian sales manager
“If Obama really cares about human rights, he will solve the issue of Palestine with justice.” – Jahangir Allam, chairman, Bangladesh International School, Jeddah
“I am expecting a big change. Obama will boost the relations of America with other countries of the world.” – Syed Riyaz Bukhari, Pakistani lawyer, Jeddah
“Obama will continue the same policy but I hope that he will try to justify his policy in a humble way, rather than a dictating the world.” – Roomi Saeed, Bangladeshi sales executive
“We want to be loved by the other nations and I hope that Obama will return our earlier esteem.” – Allen Henry, American teacher
“Obama looks puzzled due to the slowdown of the American economy and people should not expect that he will bring a big change within and outside USA.” – Tony E. Jiffry, Filipino IT expert
“I am very hopeful that Obama will get the country back on course, but I know it will not be easy and it will take time and patience. Bush has created such a huge mess not only for America but for the whole world. I think that Obama represents and offers hope for us all.”– Susan Khalil, American housewife and blogger, Jeddah“Stopping war on terror should be the priority for President Obama.” – Emil Valerio, Filipino salesman.“Obama should make a foreign policy based on justice and equality, particularly to deal with the Muslim world.” – Meezan Ahmed, Bangladeshi taxi driver.“Obama should have a fair foreign policy, which is based on justice and equality. Issues such as the current financial crisis, which is the direct consequence of raging conflicts in different parts of world will be solved in due course of time, if conflicts are stopped.” – Abdus Sattar, Indian Credit Controller “Obama should first work for world peace by looking deeply into what's taking place in the world in the name of the war on terror. – Muhammed Irshad, Sri Lankan cashier. __