US President Barack Obama was seen by many as a beacon of hope for the Middle East when he first took office in January. The GDN spoke to people to gauge their views ahead of his historic address to the Muslim world in Egypt today. FAISAL RAJA reports.
WHEN Barack Obama steps out to speak in front of more than 2,000 people at Cairo University today, he will be following in the footsteps of Egypt's legendary former president Gamal Abdel Nasser.
However, the message Mr Obama delivers will no doubt be significantly different to the words of president Nasser - a man who inspired a new wave of Pan-Arab nationalism in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as anti-colonial revolutions in several Arab countries.
President Obama is hoping his visit will be the first step in reconciliation between the West and 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.
However, he faces a massive task as tension continues to simmer in Iraq, inmates are still held at the controversial Guantanamo Bay facility in Cuba and the US continues its support for Israel.
His speech is also taking place at the scene of heated protests against US policy in the region.
Significantly, his visit has sparked unease in Israel and criticism from Al Qaeda - two parties who could lose out most from any new dawn in relations between the West and Muslim world.
People in Bahrain had mixed emotions ahead of his visit - with one admitting he turned the television off every time President Obama came on the screen.
Alba operator Ali Rustam, 36, added that he was suspicious about the choice of Egypt as a platform to deliver the address to the Muslim world.
"He chose Egypt because he is powerful enough to buy the country," said Mr Rustam.
"I believe he has the influence to manipulate the country into doing what the higher power wants. I hope he can make changes, such as sorting out the conflict between Palestine and Israel, but I have no faith. When he (President Obama) is on the TV I change the channel, not because it is Obama but because our trust with America has been lost."
Meanwhile, Bahrain Electri-city and Water Authority (EWA) employee Jalil Ramadhan, 46, from Sanad, revealed he was sceptical about the outcome of President Obama's visit - saying actions spoke louder than words.
"The best thing Obama and the US can do is leave the Gulf alone," he said.
"They create many problems with us and we just want peace.
"What actions have been taken? What changes have been made? We don't like to hear, we like to see."
However, most people were hopeful that President Obama's address would signal a new era of mutual respect between the West and the Muslim world.
Hazem El Dahmy, 33, from Egypt, admitted to being an avid supporter of Mr Obama and said the speech couldn't have come at a better time.
"He wants to come to start a new page in relations between the US and Middle East," said the food company marketer.
"I have very democratic views so I am pleased he is in office and I have enough faith in him to carry out what he says he will do.
"He is also very open-minded, so I'm happy the regime of terror under Bush has come to an end.
"He chose Egypt because it is one of the biggest countries in the Arab world in terms of population and history.
"They are the capital of the peacemakers in the Middle East and this ties in well with Obama's intentions."
Bahraini housewife Rubaina Zahed, 60, said she thought President Obama's speech could act as a pillar for peace and harmony.
"I'm a firm believer of peace and any differences should be solved by talking," she said.
"That is what he is trying to do by coming to the Middle East.
"He's young and he has a wonderful vision of a peaceful world.
"He has brilliant policies, one being to mend relations between Israel and Palestine.
"He is godsend and I just hope he speaks of Israel and Palestine both deserving a home.
"We are all human beings and equality is the key to our existence."
Before his visit, the president has spoken of democracy, rule of law, freedom of speech and freedom of religion as being principles that countries around the world should embrace as part of their national identity.
However, Saudi medical student Fahad Al Deaiji argued that was easier said than done.
"Personally, I would welcome President Obama to Saudi Arabia with open arms," said the 21-year-old, who has visited the West several times.
"People, particularly students, who travel to Western countries for their studies tend to come back to the Gulf with an open mind and they are open to political change and debate.
"Being able to identify with culture is more important than religion at this moment in time."
He said he believed President Obama to be a "man of fairness", unlike his predecessor.
"Obama is a lot better than Bush," he said.
"He seems a very fair person in terms of the Israeli-Palestine conflict.
"Bush's administration was very biased towards Israel.
"However, with Obama it is different - he is a man of fairness.
"I hope he addresses issues of Iraq.
"The previous administration sent in forces to capture Saddam Hussein, but more civilians have died since the US forces went in than when Saddam Hussein was alive.
"Obama will hopefully take action."
Meanwhile, KPMG auditor Ali Al Maqabi, 23, said he hoped the US president would address issues related to Guantanamo Bay - which President Oba-ma is now trying to shut down.
"I hope Guantanamo Bay will be restructured, not necessarily closed down," said the 23-year-old Bahraini, from A'ali.
"Many rights of the prisoners have been taken away and he should try to make it a prison like any other. In terms of peace, internally I believe each country will solve its own problems.
"We should have a good relationship with the US in the sense that each country has its own independence, so that no one can really interfere with each other's affairs."
Fatima Sharif, a 21-year-old student at the New York Institute of Technology, said it was too early to pass judgement on President Obama.
"We haven't seen anything bad from him so how can we judge him?" she asked.
"There is nothing he can do to make things worse than what the Bush administration had done.
"His speeches are very articulate and well-presented and his influence is necessary in topics that are important to the Arab nation."
Meanwhile, Eman Abdul Jalil, an 18-year-old student at Isa Town Secondary School, urged the people of the Gulf to believe in President Obama's "goodness".
"He needs co-operation from people of the Gulf as well as the US," she said.
"All he needs is a little help and understanding.
"We have to believe in his goodness and let him shine through.
"Peace is the backbone to our existence."
President Obama began his visit to the Middle East with a trip to Saudi Arabia yesterday, where he met King Abdullah.
After visiting Egypt he will travel to the Buchenwald, the former Nazi concentration camp in Germany, and then to Normandy, in France, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day landing.
