Though some protesters there are already shouting “Yankee, go home,” many citizens in Turkey are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new American President with high hopes.  It seems many Turks view Obama as more ”peaceful” and good-willed towards Muslim nations than his predecessor, George W. Bush, who was largely seen as anti-Muslim.  So what’s got Muslims so convinced that Obama is different?  Well, to start with, as one Turkish man put it, “…his middle name is Hussein.” 

MSNBC reports:

When Obama arrives in Turkey on Sunday night for a two-day visit to this capital city and Istanbul, he will find a nation of nearly 72 million Muslims almost giddy at the prospect of improved relations with the United States after years of tension with the Bush administration.

“Obama is going to just mesmerize people,” said Ali Carkoglu, professor of political science at Sabanci University in Istanbul. “He’s going to be a rock star.”

By making a high-profile visit to this proudly secular, predominantly Muslim nation on his first overseas trip, Obama is signaling Turkey’s strategic importance as a bridge between the West and the Middle East.

For the full story at MSNBC, click here.

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