Sarah Omar, the 88-year-old grandmother of United States President Barack Obama, has told the Saudi daily Al-Watan, "I prayed that Barack, my grandson, would become a Muslim." A London Telegraph survey taken in August said about one out of five Americans believes the president is a Muslim, despite White House claims that he is committed to Christianity.
Omar was interviewed in connection with her visit to Mecca for the Haj pilgrimage, accompanied by her son Saeed Hussein Obama - the president's uncle - and four other grandsons. Said Obama thanked King Abdullah for sponsoring the visit.