Many Muslims welcomed President Barack Obama’s inaugural promise of “a new way forward” toward mutual respect between the United States and the Islamic world. That was also followed by his order to shut down the Guantanamo detention camp in Cuba. But scratch the surface and you’ll also find lots of caution.

Muslims are leery, as many felt President Bush spoke of closer ties but did not act on them. In fact, many Muslims supported Bush’s 2000 presidential bid, only to be disappointed by his post-9/11 policy decisions. Experts say that Obama, who takes office in the wake of a devastating war in Gaza, will have to act quickly to earn their trust.

Obama seems to be moving quickly. On Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, Obama recorded one of his first television interviews as president with a leading Arab-language network,  Al Arabiya. According to The New York Times story, Obama “struck a conciliatory tone toward the Islamic world, saying he wanted to persuade Muslims that ‘the Americans are not your enemy’ and adding that ‘the moment is ripe for both sides’ to negotiate in the Middle East.” (Read a transcript and see clips at CBS News’ “Political Hotsheet” site.) At the same time, Obama also dispatched his new special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell, to the region to signal a new American approach and engagement in the peace process.

Does this mark a significant new beginning? A Reuters story (posted by The Washington Post) from the day after the inauguration said that Arabs and Muslims “gave the benefit of some doubt” to Obama but said “it would take deeds rather than words to convince them.”

The day after the inauguration, both The Washington Post and The New York Times ran full-page ads paid for by various Muslim American groups. An ad from Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow urged the new president to increase his engagement with young Muslims. The other, from the Muslim Public Affairs Council and more than a dozen other advocacy groups, urged him to take a more critical stand on Israel. American Muslims are still learning how to work the political system and advocate for themselves, and the next few months will likely see a range of efforts, some successful, some not.

How is the Muslim community in your coverage area reacting to Obama? Check in with local Muslim Students Associations on college campuses. Last week, they were likely protesting Israel’s incursion into Gaza. What do they feel are the best methods to convey their anger and disillusionment over the conflagration?

How are interfaith relations between Muslims and Jews faring following more than three weeks of conflict in Gaza? Go beyond the news releases issued by the local Jewish federation and Muslim American Society and check in to see how people are really feeling. Has the military campaign soured ongoing dialogue between local Jews and Muslims? See whether individual Jews or Muslims made overtures to one another during the past few weeks to say, in effect, “I’m thinking of you. I know this is a difficult time.”  

As you look for stories to localize, keep in mind: Israel will hold national elections Feb. 10. Benjamin Netanyahu, the conservative leader of the Likud party, is leading in the polls. How might his election be viewed among local Muslims and particularly Palestinian-Americans, and what would they expect of the peace process? 

ReligionLink offers a number of source guides and resources on Islam, including:

• “Covering Islam and politics”
• “ Covering Islam 101”
• “ Islam: a guide to U.S. experts and organizations”

Read a transcript of Obama’s inaugural address, posted by The Washington Post.

See two relevant essays posted on Jan. 30, 2009 at The Immanent Frame, the religion blog of the Social Science Research Council.

One is “A reason to remain hopeful,” by Jen’nan Ghazal Read, an associate professor of Sociology and Global Health at Duke University whose work includes research on the assimilation experiences of Arab Americans and U.S. Muslims.

Another is “Obama reaches out,” by John Esposito, professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University and Founding Director of the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown.