NYC Muslims React to Obama's Speech

By
Arun Venugopal
WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

President Obama's speech to the Islamic world has generated intense excitement among New York City's Muslims. Haroon Moghul works for the Islamic Center at NYU. He says he only realized what a big deal the speech would be when he woke up this morning.

MOGHUL: I turned on Al Jazeera, I looked on the web, I looked on all the news sites. I had probably 50 or 60 emails from people I know. I mean, it's unbelievable: just comments, reactions, talking points, ideas. So people were definitely engaged. I mean, I haven't even scoured the blogging world.

After watching the president's speech, Moghul participated in a discussion organized by the Council of American Islamic Relations, in Morningside Heights. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, but some said they wanted to hear more specifics about the president's plan for the Israel-Palestine situation.

Profile Image
Arun Venugopal

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

'It's chaos': LIRR commuters face shutdown, workarounds on first weekday of strike

The MTA says backup shuttle buses can carry only a fraction of regular LIRR riders.
Gothamist |

The History Wars and America at 250, with the Historian Jill Lepore

Three prominent historians discuss a national milestone arriving in the midst of a politically charged conflict over how Americans see the past. It’s a “goat rodeo,” Lepore says.
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

10-Question Quiz: American History

Author Kenneth C. Davis quizzes listeners on American history.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Democrats make a run for Stefanik's seat

WNYC News |

On an off-Broadway stage, actors bring immigrant stories alive and spark public debate

Immigrants' stories have been unfolding on an off-Broadway stage in an uncommon way. One is of a doctor in her 40s who fled Zimbabwe. Another featured a Colombian woman who regretted leaving her homeland for the United States. A third entered into a marriage of convenience with an American after overstaying her visa, and then suffered a violent assault in the subway.
WNYC News |
YOU ARE ONLINE