Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02AMMAN6189
2002-10-23 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

RAMADAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS STRATEGY 2002

Tags:  KPAO PREL OIIP JO 
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UNCLAS AMMAN 006189 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/PDD; IIP, R. PA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PREL OIIP JO
SUBJECT: RAMADAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS STRATEGY 2002

Ref: secstate 201932

UNCLAS AMMAN 006189

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/PDD; IIP, R. PA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PREL OIIP JO
SUBJECT: RAMADAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS STRATEGY 2002

Ref: secstate 201932


1. Following is an outline of the PD Ramadan
activities which emphasize respect for Islam and shared
values during the month of Ramadan. In Jordan, Ramadan
is a festive time similar to the Christmas season.
After the Iftar, most Jordanians spend their time on
visits to family and friends, cultural entertainment or
congregating in cafes and watching the many Ramadan TV
serials available on local and satellite TV. Embassy
officers from all sections, starting with the
Ambassador and DCM, attend and host a wide variety of
iftars involving a wide spectrum of the community.
Following are the main Ramadan Public Affairs
activities which we plan during this period.


2. Press and News Media Activities

We plan to invite 50 journalists to an iftar hosted by
Ambassador Gnehm. In addition, we will equip all of
the Embassy officers who will be attending iftars and
other Ramadan gatherings with "speaker kits," featuring
talking points and background information on hot issues
such as Iraq and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as
well as student visas. We will also draw the attention
of JTV and other news media to Secretary Powell's Nov.
6 iftar as well as any other high-level Ramadan events
in the U.S. Our web page will feature materials on the
above events plus other information about Muslim life
in the U.S., the "dialogue of civilizations" and
related topics.


3. Cultural Activities

In addition to an Ambassadorial iftar for 50 academics,
artists, and intellectuals, particularly young people,
we will propose an iftar which either the Ambassador or
PAO could host for the legal community. The latter
group cooperates with us closely in our judicial reform
projects and includes many religiously conservative
young professionals. The CAO plans a Ramadan evening
with poetry readings and oud music. We would also like
to do an Arabic-language DVC on the topic of Ramadan in
the U.S., perhaps about "Ramadan before and after
Sept. 11." Finally, we would invite members of the IV
delegation from various Sharia' Law faculties to a
Ramadan evening or Iftar in which they would discuss
their recent trip to the U.S.


4. Other activities.

About a week after the Eid following Ramadan, Promo-7,
the local affiliate of Webber-Shandwick, plans to
sponsor in close coordination with post a speaker tour
featuring a Muslim-American group who will discuss
Muslim life in America and shared values between Islam
and the U.S. The speakers will include a 28-year old
female author, the public affairs director of the
Supreme Islamic Council of America, a paramedic and an
entrepreneurial couple who appeared in the TV Public
Service Announcements about Muslim Life in the U.S.
This group will meet with young business people,
artists and intellectuals and will be interviewed on
Jordan satellite TV in advance of the PSA's which we
understand may be aired on local and/or satellite TV.
Post is assisting Promo 7 in its effort to obtain
permission to air the PSA's on JTV during Ramadan.
Gnehm