Dear President Obama,

I watched with keen interest your visit to Malaysia. The fact that you visited Malaysia two years in a row makes it even more intriguing. Malaysia suddenly is an important place of interest for the first time in the history of America.

I am sure your agenda is right on target.

Your speeches in Malaysia to various groups are just as captivating as ever. That Malaysia as a Muslim country that embraces multiculturalism has been the centre of attraction for the superpowers since the 14th century is not surprising. We celebrated diversity even before America gained its independence. What is more interesting, China as one of the powerful nations in the 15th century has enjoyed cordial relations with Malaysia since the olden days.

Nowadays, Asean nations wholeheartedly embrace each other as a result of similar Asian values (either positive or negative in the sight of the Westerners). We blend, we share the experience of being colonised (for some of us, anyway), and now we are inspired to move ahead to build our nations with peace and stability in this region.

We are thriving economically despite a lot of cultural entrenchment in our decision making and in managing emerging societies. We have a healthy respect towards each other and dialogues seem to be our course of interaction.

In short, we have our values and religion as our main driver and motivator of our conduct. We respect each other. We consult and we console each other.

I must protest that for a president to visit us and unashamedly tell us how we should behave is not a humble thing to do for a visitor from the first world. To explain the rights of minority groups by a nation which abuses and does not practice human rights and reform is something you and your advisers should have carefully thought about before telling us how to run our country.

There are various examples where the United States could have saved the lives of millions of people in the world. Instead you simply ignore and selectively refrain from voicing out against the aggressions and oppressions of certain nations.

There is mounting evidence that America has funded some of the oppressors. Your nation has vetoed hundreds of United Nations resolutions that could have eased the life of those who are seriously in desperation to survive.

Really, as the perpetrator of Novus Ordo Mundi, it’s not befitting for you, Sir, to tell us how we should treat humans. Sure, we have our fair share of human rights issues but it’s really minuscule in comparison to your incredible misadventure of human rights.

Professor Chomsky did not think highly of you, Mr President. Your drone attacks and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) are the main bones of contention for him. Your bloodied hands easily throw you off track from becoming a human rights hero. On the issue of the Palestinian state, not a finger was being lifted to stop the atrocities.

Mr Obama, your middle name is a precious one, Hussein. It has a beautiful meaning. You have several close encounters with Islam, you have even heard Quranic verses being read. Deep inside me, I still believe you can be a force for good in this world.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to look at Islam as a solution to the problems of this world. Just as Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, had early inclination to develop his Islamic interest. He bought a Quran at the age of 22 and later in his life he drafted his version of the Declaration of Independence which was substantially influenced by his knowledge of Islam.

Prof Spellberg highlighted the early tolerance of Muslims in his book ‘Thomas Jefferson’s Qur’an’.

I have a dream that may come true. I dream that one day in your retirement, you would read the Qur’an which you are no stranger to. I would fast forward it by inviting you to enter Islam sooner rather than later. And the ‘Hussein’ in you would shine out to the poor and the oppressed.

Thank you.

MOHD AMIRUL RAMLI is a litigation lawyer under his own firm in Sungai Petani, Kedah Darul Aman.