An Era of Peace
By Qutubuddin Aziz
Karachi, Pakistan
I felicitate the American people on the inauguration of the presidency of Mr.Barack Obama and I pray to God that his presidency may become an era of peace and prosperity for the United States.
In his inaugural speech, Mr.Obama indicated that he would seek to develop good relations with the Muslim world. I welcome this announcement and I am confident that the Muslim world will fully reciprocate Mr.Obama's initiative. I am extremely happy that Mr.Obama is taking steps to close down Gauntanamo Bay detention center. It is a far sighted move and it will remove many cobwebs of misunderstandings about America found in some parts of the world.
The election of President Obama has ended racism in America and this is a great victory for the forces of democracy in the United States. I am sure that the spirit of Martin Luther King in the Heavens will be immensely pleased by the Obama victory. It is also in conformity with the dream of Abraham Lincoln.
Pakistan, which is an ally of the United States in the war on terror, is very pleased over the presidency of Mr.Obama and I am confident that these two countries – Pakistan and the US - will work all the more for peace and goodwill in the world.
God bless Mr. Obama
(This is a translation of the comments in Urdu of Mr.Qutubuddin Aziz on the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama broadcast on January 20 in Washington DC on Voice of America. Translation by Anila Ali)
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