A 16 year of Christian girl asked President Bush a question that compliant Muslim statesmen, servile Leagues, obsequies Arab leaders, menial conferences and subservient Ambassadors in Washington could not ask or did not ask or dare not ask.
We have been asking the question that this brave young girl asked Mr. Bush in Jerusalem
But on his last day in Jerusalem, Mr. Bush received something else: a little lesson in cultural awareness.
The scene was a museum garden, where Mr. Bush and his wife, Laura, sat in wrought-iron chairs under the shade of an olive tree, joined by a dozen young people who had been selected by the American Embassy.
When the president lamented that he has been asked why he dislikes Muslims — not true, he said, it’s just what they say on television — 16-year-old Henriette Charcar, who identified herself as a Palestinian Christian, took Mr. Bush gently to task.
“I think it comes out that you don’t like Muslims,” Ms. Charcar told the president, “because in most of your speeches you do tend to relate extremism to Muslims.”
Mr. Bush looked slightly taken aback. He started to defend himself but then, in a moment rare for a president who often seems convinced of his own correctness, he switched course.
“Actually, what I say is you’re not a religious person if you’re a murderer,” he told Ms. Charcar. “But you’re right. I’ve got to do a better job of making it clear when I talk about Islam, I talk about a peaceful religion.”
Later, the talk turned to socializing. Mr. Bush asked if Arabs and Jews dated one another, or went to dances.
“No dances?” he asked, sounding surprised.
There was a slight pause in the discussion, until the American ambassador, Richard H. Jones, stepped in, politely telling the president that society was more conservative here. NY Times
It is a sad day for the Muslim Americans, Muslims in general and for Pakistanis that the current Pakistani Ambassador in Washington, Mr. Husain Haqqani instead of using his fame and fortune to ask this question took the exact opposite route. Mr. Haqqani in fact collobaorated with the people at the opposite end of the spectrum, and indeed did try to pin the blame for everything evil on this planet on the Muslims and on Pakistan.
Mr. Haqqani, selling a soul to the highest bidder is easy. Speaking up for the right thing is hard to do. Speaking Truth to power the young Christian girl could teach you a thing or two about strenght of character, guts and integrity!
Mr. Bush respetec the integrity of the young girl, and indeed promised to correct himself. Whether he does or not, is another thing. The fact reamains, that for a few seconds a young Christian girl talked and the world listened. God Bless her!
Shame on your Mr. Haqqani for all that you have written for a few pennies
Husain Haqqani: Dangerous 5th column or selfish opportunist?
Pakistan’s New Ambassador: Traitor or Naïve fool?
Mr. Potato-Chips goes to Washington:-Neocon from Pakistan
