Change. That's what Obama represents to the outside world that had no say in his election but hopes to keenly feel the effects of his policies as much as they resented feeling those of Goerge Bush administration. Change from a previous regime that was perceived by some as racist, as targeting religions, as toying with smaller economies to feed its own monster, as wielding its weaponry with little regard for the consequences, as failing to apply the standards that it demanded of everyone else. Everyone has their gripe with the Bush administration, and the atmosphere of change and the hope it is bringing recalls the auras surrounding the elections of John F. Kennedy and later Bill Clinton, who had Bob Dylan, writer of “The Times They Are a-Changing,” sing at his inauguration ceremony. As results came in during election night, the voices of people of various nationalities in Saudi Arabia reflected the palpable sense of history being made. “We are all Obama fans here and we see something special about this man. His motto is change and change is the need of the hour. Change in American politics and policies means change in the entire world. So we are keeping the TV on to see if the world has a chance to witness a change,” said Fathima, an Indian expatriate in Dammam. Change, however, was as much a McCain mantra as it was Obama's during the election campaign, but Obama had all the winds blowing in his favor to make people believe it was possible. Young and of mixed-parentage, he embodied that change to the same extent that McCain represented more of the same. “Obama's win would be a clear defeat of George W. Bush and his bad policies both at home and abroad,” said one foreign resident in the Eastern Province. Sajid Arattupuzha, a correspondent for Gulf Madhyamam Daily, said: “I am happy that Obama has won. I believe this will be a change for the good in American history. American nationals hate Bush for his foreign policies. McCain has lost because of Bush's bad image.” The perception that Obama was running against Bush – or that Bush was running for Obama - brought into play some of Obama's most obvious features. Sabiq, an Indian working at Al-Azzaz Company, said he was supporting Obama because, according to him, McCain is a bit too “racist”. “McCain used propaganda against the ethnic and cultural background of his opponent and that is a racist policy,” he said. Abdulrahman, a Syrian worker, said he wanted to see a change in US policies in the Arab World. “Obama will be a moderate personality to whom the Arabs can put forth their demands more easily,” he said. The race factor was clearly important throughout the world, with African newspapers running stories of prolonged celebrations in Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. “Obama, being partly African, has the moral obligation to intervene in Africa,”a Sierre Leone newspaper editor told Associated Press. But expectations from Planet Earth don't stop there. There is an old adage, that in the end the voter will always vote with his hand in his pocket, and understandably given the current climate the economy was heavy in the minds of US voters and observers alike. “I feel a solution to the global financial crisis is now possible after this result. I am very happy to hear the news of Obama's victory and I am assuming that the present economic crisis will soon be over,” said Siddique, an Indian businessman in the Kingdom. Yasser Fattu, an Egyptian in the Kingdom, said that Bush's policies had distanced America from the rest of the world, the worst manifestation being “the present financial crisis that has affected the entire world in all aspects of life. People are talking about inflation, losing jobs, high real estate prices – that is all because of Bush's policies that have doomed the world's economies.” “We from the Third World countries are dependent on the US economy,” said Rosario Lim, a mother of two living in the Kingdom. “We have had huge political and economic problems and Saudis have suffered big losses on the stock markets, all of which happened because of Bush's war strategy, if McCain had won we would have seen a repeat of Bush's mistakes, but with different person,” said Marwan Al-Youssef, a Saudi engineer. The economy and Middle East policy are obviously close to the hearts of many in Saudi Arabia, and the end of this Republican administration has released a sigh of relief from many. Muhammad Al-Oboudi, a young US-educated Saudi national just arrived back from America, said the change signaled an end to destruction, wars, the constant threat of acts of terrorism, and the intimidation which Bush used to influence the world. “Here in Saudi Arabia,” Al-Oboudi said, “the issues are focused on the Middle East peace process, Iraq and Afghanistan, and the US discriminatory attitude towards Arabs. Most Arabs were supporting Obama.” Saudi Hadia Bashar, a 22-year-old university student, said people were keen to see the first black president assume power, and expected a change in attitude towards Muslims. “The whole face of the American government will change during his tenure,” she said. “It will be of benefit to the whole Muslim Ummah across the world.” “Obama will be the first black president in America and most people are optimistic about the future,” said Maha Al-Aamoudi, a Saudi doctor who studied plastic surgery in America. “But there will be difficulties in the coming few months since not all Americans are against racism. Most Muslims, including Saudis and non-Saudis in the Kingdom, are happy with Obama's victory, and believe that although Obama is not a Muslim he comes from Muslim origins, so he will have a better impression of Islam.” “Most Americans have a poor view of Islam,” said Nuha Al-Blawi, a secondary school student. “They believe it is a religion of terrorism, so Obama and his Islamic origins may change this, and we will be able to travel to America as easily as we used to before Sept. 11.” Many Arabs confess to becoming more enthusiastic about the outcome of the elections after they discovered that Obama had Islamic origins. “I am extremely happy that Obama has won,” said teacher Muna Al-Serouji. “The world will be different now. Most Arabs were supporting Obama because of their desire to see a new era without wars or bloodshed around the world as well a new strategy for dealing with the problems in the Middle East.” Not everyone was overjoyed at the result, however. Naelah Ma'moun, a Saudi interior designer who studied in the US, said she and her businessman husband were backing McCain. “We supported his plan to change tax strategy. In America, businesspeople have suffered from high taxes, but a McCain government would have reduced the burden on investors and encouraged setting up projects,” Naelah said. Others remain unconvinced and will let time be the judge. “The Middle East is key for people here,” said Deogracias Garcia, an advertising executive. “Will Obama doggedly pursue a resolution to Middle East regional problems? That remains to be seen.” Ifthikhar Khawaja, Pakistani national, also remains skeptical. “I firmly believe that Obama's victory does not make a difference to me as a Pakistani. A Republican or a Democrat in office will continue along the same foreign policy lines.” Ahmed, a Lebanese hospital worker in Al-Khobar, shares her sentiments. “I don't think US foreign policy is going to change as far as the Middle East is concerned.” “We will wait to see if America changes over the coming few years, before passing judgement,” said Maha Al-Aamoudi. – Saudi Gazette reporters Joe Avance?a, Shabna Aziz, Faisal Aboobacker Panicker in Eastern Province, Shahid Ali Khan in Riyadh, Diana Al-Jassem and Sabahat F. Siddiqui from Jeddah contributed to the report. __
