Obama speech draws mixed reaction from Christians, Muslims

Although President Barack Obama's speech was generally hailed as successful in placing the US and the Muslim world on better terms, some Christians and Muslims found fault with what he chose not to say.

For some Christian leaders, the speech was "brilliant" in terms of making America more presentable to the Muslim world, but it failed to address the important issue of unequal treatment of religious minorities in Islamic countries compared to Western nations.

These critics took issue with Obama seeming to gloss over problems in Muslim countries, with some even saying the president appeared more "pro-Islam" than "pro-Christian."

"Obama's speech seemed over and over again to say that we must give Muslims a better chance to be known in the West instead of allowing Christianity to be known in the Muslim countries," complained Dr William Wagner, professor of missions and evangelism at Olivet Theological College & Seminary in San Francisco.

Dr Wagner pointed out that Obama had noted the many mosques in America in his speech, but failed to mention that it is forbidden to build Christian churches in Muslim countries. Obama also said it is important for Western nations not to restrict how Muslim citizens practise their faith, but did not note that persecution of Christians has resulted in the near extinction of the community in some Muslim countries.

"What bothers me the most is not what he said but what he did not say," said Dr Wagner, the author of the book How Islam Plans to Change the World.

Similarly, Open Doors USA President Dr Carl Moeller wished Obama had spoken more about the plight of Christians and other minorities in Muslim countries. Moeller said in countries where Islam is the official religion and sharia law is enforced, it is virtually impossible for Christians to practise their faith without persecution.

He also disagreed with Obama praising Saudi King Abdullah for his interfaith efforts, noting that Saudi Arabia has the worst track record on religious freedom in the world behind North Korea.

"Saudi Arabia calling on international religious tolerance is a little bit like the wolf calling for a sheep convention," Moeller wrote in his column for The Christian Post.

Yet despite their criticisms, both Moeller and Wagner applauded Obama for striving to improve relations between the United States and the Muslim world.

Other Christian leaders and groups also praised the US president for his historic speech.