It's emotionally loaded Pat right? I also watched him and the conceding McCain embracing each other, while being crowded by cheering Americans.
Can we also have that here? Well, perhaps still not yet this time. with our system of election, where nobody loses but being cheated, where candidates would still find "ways" to reverse his/her lose. Still not yet this time. Wew!

As for the right leader like Obama in our case here, we've been discussing also with my egroup vis-a-vis ARMM. What traits should a Muslim leader have to save the number of Muslims with the present leadership crisis and corrupt, let alone ineffective governance, here in the South of the Philippines. I said:

"My initial qualifying traits for a Muslim leader are Iman and Taqwa, charisma and competency as well as wisdom and principle.

While Iman is belief in Allahu ta’ala, Taqwa or "the Islamic concept of "God-consciousness" or higher consciousness. Having taqwá allows a person to be constantly aware of both God's all-encompassing knowledge and attributes and a reminder of their relationship and responsibility to God as His creation and servant. The scholars explain that the way to taqwá is through obedience of God, avoiding disobedience, and striving to stay away from doubtful matters. It is awareness of God as one moves through life." (wikipedia) As such, it is taqwa that makes Iman firm and unshakable.

By that when a leader is full of taqwa, i.e. being aware all the time that Allahu ta'ala always sees whatever he does; that he is judged according to his intentions and actions, he is also aware of the rightful responsibility towards his constituency; and, that violation of anyone's right will constitute retribution from Alllahu ta'ala in the hereafter, likewise the smooth facilitation of the other's rights entails him rewards in the life after death. When this is attained, there shall be no more room for corruption in his heart. He honestly manages the public affairs the way he religiously administers his, say, Fasting from dusk to dawn though no one is watching over him. He hates denying the rights of any of his constituencies as much as he hates being denied of the Jannah; He loves serving and earning the approval of his constituencies as he loves being pleased and approved by Allahu ta’ala.

Charisma is a personality trait that makes a leader being liked by others. Many were liked by his followers not because of his qualification . Meanwhile, competency would include every competency and skill required of leadership. That is, even, say, a clerk is required of the knowledge and proficiency to perform or discharge expected tasks required of the said post. What more when it pertains to presidency?

Wisdom is very much different from knowledge. Everybody has got knowledge but would essentially remiss in wisdom to have an exact understanding and proper use of such knowledge. While knowledge is obtained through informal or formal instructional experience, wisdom is attained through “enlightenment.” Wisdom is best acquired and sustained by Iman and taqwa. Example, it is a query why ice floats on the water? The molecules of water when get frozen becomes lighter, therefore it floats on water, is the ready answer of (Secular) knowledge. But what is the wisdom behind why ice floats when it gets frozen? In Islam, every creation has wisdom behind it. That is, say, the giant icebergs; there are also living organisms beneath them in the ocean which is not accustomed to frozen and very cold life. That’s why Allahu ta’ala created ice to float on the water.

We know about principle. A Muslim leader must have a staunch principle he believes as rightful and just and would stand by to fight for it even in the face of a roaring thunder. By that he inspires his followers to do the same. Wag yung mas nauuna pang tumatakbo sa kanyang mga “bata-bata.” Or, by mere promise or cajolery of worldly opportunity, he leaves what he is fighting for, leaving behind his followers."

Another thing that Obama told in his "The Audacity of Hope," is "authenticity" that a leader should have i.e. "of being who you say you are, of possessing a truthfulness that goes beyond words."

Hi Danilo,

Yup, it was a speech that "could move mountains".

I appreciate your dawah, my friend. That is the right way to go on explaining who the Bangsamoro is, and what kind of leaders Islam envisions to have.

Keep it up!

warm regards,

Pat