Obama aims to 'reboot US image' in the Muslim world

Washington, Dec.11 (ANI): US President-elect Barack Obama has confirmed that he would take oath of office using his middle name Hussein and added that he planned to set the tone for his future relations with the Muslim world with a major speech in a Muslim capital early in his presidency.

"I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular," Obama told the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

Obama said that in choosing to use his middle name he would merely be following custom.

"I think the tradition is they use all three names, and I will follow tradition. I'm not trying to make a statement one way or another. I'll do what everybody else does," the Guardian quoted Obama, as saying further.

The symbolism of the moment when Obama pronounces all three of his names is undeniable. During the campaign he contended with a constant swirl of Internet rumors that he was a secret Muslim who had been educated in a madrasa in Indonesia.

His denials and attempts to highlight his Christian faith rankled with some Muslims. Campaign workers barred two Muslim women wearing headscarves from sitting behind Obama at an event in Detroit last June, claiming their presence would be hurtful to the candidate.

As president though, one of Obama's missions will be to repair America's image in the world, and to assuage anger over the US invasion of Iraq and US support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians.

The Obama camp appears to be looking at ways to put relations back on track.

Campaign aides said last week that Obama would make a trip to the Middle East to deliver that speech within his first 100 days in the White House.

There were also reports that Cairo was a likely venue for the appearance. (ANI)