Below are three letters responding to the election of Barack Obama as U.S. president

Of course we are all happy with President-elect Barack Hussein Obama's victory. Seeing the long lines outside polling stations reminded me of the first elections in South Africa -- once she was free of Apartheid -- and of President Mandela's subsequent triumph.

For me it was a culmination of the dreams of my teenage years in the 1960s. I used to watch the struggles in both those oppressed and unhappy countries and dream that freedom and justice would one day dawn in South Africa and the United States.

In both places there is still much to do, but I am supremely content that I have lived to experience the emotion of witnessing these symbolic moments of change.

I am comforted that Obama appears thoughtful and serious. Yet it is irksome that in his victory speech he still had to roll out the set phrases that are part of the jingoistic razzmatazz used for these occasions. Time and again he told his audience, as United Stateseans love to tell themselves, that they are the greatest nation on earth.

In terms of military firepower they may be. In terms of consumption of the world's resources and emission of greenhouse gases they vie with China, though China has a vastly greater population. In freedom for its citizens to roam at will over the planet without applying for a visa they share a pole position with Finland.

In almost all other respects -- including democratic accountability; literacy; access to education and health care; child mortality; equality of opportunity; labor rights; press freedom; criminal justice and social security -- they lag behind other countries, in some cases, well behind.

Obama is a literate man, a well-informed man, a well-traveled man. He should not have to repeat these inanities about "greatness". It is to be hoped that during his term in office he will be able to steer his country toward a more sober, thoughtful and less bombastic view of itself.

United Stateseans have a strange habit of using the entire continent when referring to their bit of it. When U.S. Presidents address their television audience they begin with, "My fellow Americans". In the same way, both presidential candidates concluded their speeches, as tradition demands, with "God bless America".

I am always uncomfortable with this nationalistic use of God, calling down blessings on their own country -- or continent if that is what they mean. I am even less comfortable with the British evocation of the Deity to "save" just one person: Their monarch.

Perhaps one day those politicians from all countries who want to end their speeches with an appeal to the Almighty will be gracious and inclusive enough to say, "God save us all". I hope so, but I doubt it. God save us all.

RAFIQ MAHMOOD

Bogor

Congratulations to president-elect Barack Obama, his family and America. We wish him good luck, as he has myriad challenges ahead. He is a great and gifted human being, a charismatic personality and a world citizen.

His father was Muslim African, his mother American Christian and his friends are from around the world.

At a tender age he studied in Jakarta, Indonesia. He must have enjoyed his time here, learning about Javanese culture, learning Indonesian and making new friends. His long term goals were very high even at this point in his childhood.

He wrote a story, "I want to become President," when he was in elementary school. Credit goes to his parents, teachers, friends and his wonderful wife Michelle. for making him the person he is today.

I would like to salute his grandparents especially, as they took care of him from the age of 10. Raising a teenager in America is a very tough job. I am sure they were divine souls as they raised their grandson to be President and then said good bye to the world.

People around the world, Muslims, Hindus, Christians and people from all other faiths were praying for him. I am a very proud American citizen of Indian origin and I worship Lord Hanuman daily. Many people may not know that Obama has deep faith in lord Hanuman, the Monkey God, and that he carried a small idol of Lord Hanuman as good luck charm as he competed for the Presidency.

Youngsters around the world can learn a great lesson from Barack Obama: be proud of what you are and nothing is impossible, in this world, for any one, just have self confidence and faith in yourself and God.

CHANDRA TERWAY

Kerobokan, Bali

The clamorous Americans who gathered in Chicago on election night could be considered a portrait of America, welcoming the 44th U.S. President, Barack Hussein Obama.

Over the last few days before the election, the question of who was going to win the super phenomenal race stayed in my thoughts. The answer has been revealed, Senator Obama wins the election.

The biggest celebration of democracy was held in United States this year and next year it will be our turn. Next year will be an important moment in our history. The election of our members of parliament, followed by the president's election, really draw rapt attention from most of us.

Obama's win gives us much enlightenment; we can believe in change. Yes we can! We can change our old mind-set and stubborn traditions. The president of this country does not have to be Javanese, or a former military officer, or the son or daughter of a previous president or government official.

We have to change that perception if we want to move forward. Our next president has to know and understand what Indonesia's essential needs and interests are. Our next president has to recognize and respect their constituency and commitment to it steadfastly.

And we, as constituents, have to support this process by taking part as voters. We have to vote for the sake of our country! Vote with responsibility, and vote for our future, life, and the next generation!

MIRA PERMATASARI

Bandung

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