You may recall in April my post on the results of the Iowa caucuses in which Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee won riding the tide of the promise of change.
After having watched this campaign, starting way back in ’07 to where we are today, I wanted to share some thoughts along the way that I’ve had about politics and my relationship with it.
1. I’m Proud to be a Muslim Alone, But Tonight’s Election was Truly Inspiring
I know that tomorrow, many will be the Muslims and organizations blaring their pride in being American, and having voted for Barack Obama. Myself, though born in Canada and being ethnically Indian, I really care very little about associations based on anything that relates to tribalistic sorts of divisions. It is blessing enough to be Muslim, and after that, really little else matters when you consider we are all originally from Jannah, though only some of us will return home, and may we all do so.
Having said that, I know that when one takes the non-patriotic / non-nationalistic identity, it is also expected to see nothing but evil where one looks. Not so here. Watching the Bush adminstration these past eight years has been a neverending nightmare, watching scandal after scandal and incompetent mistake after incompetent mistake bounce off him like it was nothing. Obama’s presidency is inspiring in that he pulled himself away from the negative side of politics and for the most part kept himself above the fray, so to speak, of down and dirty politics. His message was simple – I am change, and McCain is Bush (not change). If you want change, here I am, if not, there he is.
McCain and his team threw every last pejorative name they could at Obama, and none of stuck. He’s been voted in in a landslide, and I was moved by both his forthrightness and vision for the future, and though I cannot agree with many of his ideas for domestic or foreign policy as stated, I suspect given his background there are some surprises in store, and I agree with the spirit in which he made his remarks.
2. A Great Example of Living Leadership
If you want to see the traits and characteristics of a great leader, then look at Obama – whether it’s his speaking ability, his organization and choosing the right people to run his campaign, his way with his family, and more, you can see it in this person. Many are the examples of corrupt and broken politicians.
Yes, I know the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallim is the greatest leader of all, and I know that as Muslims we have many disagreements with him. The point is not to extol virtues, but to take benefit from noticing positive characteristics embodied in someone in a way rarely seen, given the way he has moved so many people and brought about such drastic change.
3. Chicago Democrats are VERY Organized – ‘Nuff Said
4. It’s Finally Over
The drama of the elections is finally over. Thank God, now I can do something else with my time 
Siraaj
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