Hussein: What's In a Name?

Hats off to John McCain for immediately repudiating conservative radio talk show host Bill Cunningham, who seemed to impugn Barrack Obama for his Muslim heritage at a political event on Tuesday. Introducing McCain at a Republican campaign rally with a pep talk, Cunningham attacked Obama as a hack politician and repeatedly referred to him as Barrack Hussein Obama in an obvious effort to draw attention to Obama's Muslim heritage.

Obama has every right to be proud of his Muslim heritage and his middle name. The Prophet Mohammed's grandson was named Hussein, who himself became one of the revered figures in Islam. Throughout history probably millions of newborn Muslim males have been named Hussein, one of the most popular Muslim names after Mohammed.

From the beginning of Obama's presidential campaign, the hate preachers and fear mongers have thrown out his middle name and referred to his Muslim background--Obama's Kenyan father's family was Muslim, but Obama was raised in the U.S. as a Christian. This is done not as gestures of respect for Islam or Obama but in efforts to smear Obama by associating him with terrorists and dictatorships. Look for the smear campaign against Obama to continue until the November general election for president if he defeats Hillary Clinton to become the Democratic Party's candidate.

To their credit, Americans, across the whole country, aren't buying it. The outpouring of support for Obama as a candidate of color in the Democratic primaries is evidence that at heart America is a tolerant democracy that celebrates its multiculturalism. The U.S. is a country that is capable of recognizing prejudice and dealing with it--even if we still have a long ways to go.

McCain not only repudiated Cunningham but took responsibility for Cunningham's conduct. With candidates like Obama and McCain leading the race for president, it's a sign that Islamophobes in the U.S., who had their heyday after 9/11, may be on their way to being marginalized. That will be a good thing for America and for the Middle East.

--By Scott MacLeod/Doha