ID :
42075
Thu, 01/22/2009 - 11:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/42075
The shortlink copeid
OBAMA'S SCHOOL IN JAKARTA CELEBRATES HIS INAUGURATION
Jakarta, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - Nestled in a quiet street in Menteng, central Jakarta, State Elementary School (SDN) 01 celebrated Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the US.
The basketball court, just a few steps away from classroom 3B where Obama spent one of his three years as a student, was converted to host the event for over one hundred guests.
Outside the main gate of the school, entrepreneur Liansatri sold t-shirts picturing Obama for Rp 25,000 each. On the back was the phrase: "Change We Can Believe In."
Inside, US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume wished the new president well and credited the school for providing his early education.
"In this year of crisis, when Americans look for a leader, they wanted a leader who had a sense of personal reserve, a leader who conveys that he would think before he acted, a leader who was sensitive to people of different backgrounds," he said.
"I personally believe that those are skills we can see in that man, in large part bacause of his experience here at this school and I think that Americans have a reason to be greateful," he added.
He went on to praise the Indonesian culture. "I think that we should be comfortable in the occurance that it is a person who was able to spend important years of his life here and to learn the wisdom that is evident in Indonesian society and the confidence that a person who benefited from that wisdom is in a position to lead," he said.
Remembered by teachers as a curtious boy who waited until his friends finished their afternoon prayers before going out to lunch, Obama was honoured by retired principle Tine Hahijary and a traditional Indonesian 'Gambang Kromong' musical performance.
Eleven years old Alifa Salsabila, who sang as part of the festivities, praised Obama for his kindness. "He is very, very smart and I hope he is a good president to the people," she said.
Hopes of a shift in the perception of the Muslim world have dominated Obama's rise to the Presidency. In his inaugural address in Washington DC, Obama spoke of mutual interest and respect between religions as the only way forward.
Obama's former classmate, Colonel Danardono, described the inauguration ceremony as an unbelievable event in history. "I hope that he can fulfil what his people hope and also internatioanlly. Then we can build a natural understanding between the United States and Indonesia," he said.
Another calssmate of Obama's, Dewi Asmara Oetojo, spoke of how proud she was to have once known the president. "This is a celebration for the people. A win for the people," she said.
US Ambassador Cameron Hume neither confirmed nor denied that President Obama will visit Indonesia this year as predicted. "I hope and expect that Barack Obama will be able to come to Indonesia this year.
So far its 12:30 at night on the day of his inauguration. He's doing what we're doing; He's celebrating. He hasn't had time to tell me what his travel plans are," he said.
The basketball court, just a few steps away from classroom 3B where Obama spent one of his three years as a student, was converted to host the event for over one hundred guests.
Outside the main gate of the school, entrepreneur Liansatri sold t-shirts picturing Obama for Rp 25,000 each. On the back was the phrase: "Change We Can Believe In."
Inside, US Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume wished the new president well and credited the school for providing his early education.
"In this year of crisis, when Americans look for a leader, they wanted a leader who had a sense of personal reserve, a leader who conveys that he would think before he acted, a leader who was sensitive to people of different backgrounds," he said.
"I personally believe that those are skills we can see in that man, in large part bacause of his experience here at this school and I think that Americans have a reason to be greateful," he added.
He went on to praise the Indonesian culture. "I think that we should be comfortable in the occurance that it is a person who was able to spend important years of his life here and to learn the wisdom that is evident in Indonesian society and the confidence that a person who benefited from that wisdom is in a position to lead," he said.
Remembered by teachers as a curtious boy who waited until his friends finished their afternoon prayers before going out to lunch, Obama was honoured by retired principle Tine Hahijary and a traditional Indonesian 'Gambang Kromong' musical performance.
Eleven years old Alifa Salsabila, who sang as part of the festivities, praised Obama for his kindness. "He is very, very smart and I hope he is a good president to the people," she said.
Hopes of a shift in the perception of the Muslim world have dominated Obama's rise to the Presidency. In his inaugural address in Washington DC, Obama spoke of mutual interest and respect between religions as the only way forward.
Obama's former classmate, Colonel Danardono, described the inauguration ceremony as an unbelievable event in history. "I hope that he can fulfil what his people hope and also internatioanlly. Then we can build a natural understanding between the United States and Indonesia," he said.
Another calssmate of Obama's, Dewi Asmara Oetojo, spoke of how proud she was to have once known the president. "This is a celebration for the people. A win for the people," she said.
US Ambassador Cameron Hume neither confirmed nor denied that President Obama will visit Indonesia this year as predicted. "I hope and expect that Barack Obama will be able to come to Indonesia this year.
So far its 12:30 at night on the day of his inauguration. He's doing what we're doing; He's celebrating. He hasn't had time to tell me what his travel plans are," he said.
