The visit of US President Barack Obama was very inspiring to many people - Irish and non-Irish, black and white alike. I was there at College Green for the speech, and everyone there was very excited to see the man himself and his wife Michele. From the young generation to the old, some people had even been queueing to get in from the night before!
I arrived a little before 1pm and stayed from the beginning of his speech until the end. There was a little bit of rain, yes, but there was also sunshine which came just before his arrival.
I was very inspired by Obama’s speech. And the way he and his wife greeted well-wishers afterwards was extraordinary. When the Queen of England was in Ireland just a week before, she always wore gloves when she shook hands, but here were the President and his wife were hugging people, kissing and shaking hands without such barriers.
The whole situation made me really happy, and I thanked the Almighty God I was able to go there. I understand many people did not have the opportunity to do so. One day, I would be able to tell my children that I was there.
The only disappointing thing - which is significant - was the lack of representation of the black community on stage. I felt that we were left out as if we were nobody. It made me feel that no matter how we are naturalised or integrated in this society, we’d still be foreigners. But I would not like to think this way.
Abdulsalam Habib
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
