AWQAF MINISTER WELCOMES DIALOGUE, BUT REJECTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 009511

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2015
TAGS: KISL PREL PGOV PTER JO
SUBJECT: AWQAF MINISTER WELCOMES DIALOGUE, BUT REJECTS
EXTREMISM

REF: A. AMMAN 9391

B. 04 AMMAN 9152

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DAVID HALE FOR REASONS 1.4 (b and d)


1. (U) Summary. Jordan's new Minister of Awqaf and Islamic
Affairs Abdul Fattah Salah told Ambassador about his plans to
promote the "Amman Message" - a statement issued in November
2004 promoting moderate Islam and coexistence - and to combat
vigorously extremist takfiri ideology. End Summary.


2. (C) Salah told Ambassador in a December 7 meeting that his
ministry is drawing up a comprehensive strategy, based on the
principles of the "Amman Message" (ref B),to promote
moderation and tolerance in Jordan. The plan calls for
increased contact between the ministry and imams, including
periodic meetings to address concerns over sermon content.
These meetings will give an opportunity for the imams to hear
examples of positive sermons that stay "on message". The
ministry will publish a book that includes an assortment of
"good sermons", and a biweekly pamphlet - that includes
"suggestions" for sermon topics - will be made available for
imams to reference prior to Friday prayers. Salah further
hopes to organize training programs for imams both in Jordan
and outside the country.


3. (C) Salah continued that his ministry will encourage
dialogue in the Shari'a colleges and amongst imams in Jordan.
He plans to allow discussion of dissenting opinions, rather
than forcing imams to bury their personal views, in the
belief that rationality will win over extremism in such an
environment. Though the imams will have freedom to discuss
their views, they will be responsible for their remarks,
Salah stressed. Those that reject the guidance and
principles of the "Amman Message" and espouse extremism or
condone terrorism will "be hit with an iron fist". Salah
clarified his understanding of the difference between
Salafists and Takfiris, saying that Salafists, while
conservative, are mainstream. Takfiris, on the other hand,
are extremist "half-wits". Salah said that the challenge for
his ministry is to remain close to the Salafists, in order to
keep them from becoming Takfiris. He lauded U.S. assistance
in the form of International Visitor programs, citing the
experience of some Salafists that went to the U.S. and came
back with a more moderate view.


4. (C) Comment. Salah's strategy largely echoes the remarks
of the King (ref A),and represents a shift in the ministry's
tactics to deal with takfiri extremism. (Salah's predecessor
was sacked because of the palace's perception that he was
overly sympathetic to extremists.) While committing to
uphold human rights, the King has emphasized that Jordan
cannot afford to be soft on extremist ideology. While those
who support terrorism and extremism through rhetoric will not
be jailed, they will be heavily fined. Salah is determined
to take an equally hard line. In an Associated Press article
published December 7, Salah was quoted as saying, "We will
not tolerate anybody to declare himself a religious figure,
issue fatwas (religious edicts) and pronounce others as
infidels. Violators will be referred to justice." End
Comment.

Please visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at
http://www.state.sgov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through
the Department of State's SIPRNET home page.
HALE