Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03KUWAIT1334
2003-04-09 16:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

REACHING OUT AT THE SHI'ITE FEAST OF AL-ARBA'EEN

Tags:  EAID KISL PGOV PREL SOCI IZ 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001334 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2006
TAGS: EAID KISL PGOV PREL SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: REACHING OUT AT THE SHI'ITE FEAST OF AL-ARBA'EEN

Classified By: DCM Frank C. Urbancic, reason: 1.5 (A) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001334

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2006
TAGS: EAID KISL PGOV PREL SOCI IZ
SUBJECT: REACHING OUT AT THE SHI'ITE FEAST OF AL-ARBA'EEN

Classified By: DCM Frank C. Urbancic, reason: 1.5 (A) and (D)


1. (U) This is an action cable. Please see paragraph 5.



2. (C) Both the people and the Government of Kuwait support
U.S. actions in Iraq very strongly. Even here, however, the
constant drumbeat in the Arabic press of U.S. anti-Muslim
intent is having an effect. In recent conversations worried
Kuwaitis have engaged the Ambassador on ways that this
negative image might be dispelled.


3. (C) The Kuwaitis argue that it will be important for the
United States, as it consolidates control of the southern
part of Iraq, particularly to show deference and reverence
for the Shi'ite shrines which are located in Najaf and
Karbala. Our interlocutors suggest and Embassy agrees that
the Shi'ite high holiday of al-Arba'een on or about April 22
presents a real opportunity for the United States to show its
respect for Muslims while also providing a boost to the local
economy. Every year on the Feast of al-Arba'een these
shrines routinely distribute food to the poor to help them
celebrate. It is both a religious gesture and a form of aid
to the poor. It is greatly appreciated by the recipients and
it is also viewed as a religious obligation. While rich in
symbolism, this food is not expensive, it consists primarily
of cooked lamb and rice with various spices, delivered to
poor families on large trays.


4. (C) Embassy recommends that this year the United States,
via the U.S. military and/or ORHA, contribute lamb and rice
for the poor on the al-Arba'een holiday. Working with
contacts inside the country, the United States could purchase
large numbers of sheep, contract with Halal butchers to
slaughter them, provide rice and other spices to local cooks
and have the food delivered on trays to the mosques for
distribution. This would be a relatively simple procedure,
but we believe it would have a high impact value inside Iraq
at the grass roots level where we want to make the greatest
impression. It would also have a high international
recognition factor, particularly in the Muslim world. From
contacts here we believe that probably each tray of food
would cost no more than $20 on the local economy. Although
we would want to consult with religious leaders to be sure,
we suppose 2000 trays would be about the maximum we could
provide to the two mosques for distribution. The program
could be repeated on a smaller scale in other towns with a
US-presence in cooperation with local religious leaders. All
told, an outlay of perhaps as little as USD 50,000 would have
tremendous political impact while injecting significant
liquidity into rural communities.


5. (U) Action Request: Such a program would be worth its
weight in gold. We commend this idea to Washington for
consideration and action.


JONES