QURANIC TEACHINGS, BLACK MAGIC, AND SCHOOL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 005054 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINR SCUL KPAO EG SUBJECT: QURANIC TEACHINGS, BLACK MAGIC, AND SCHOOL SCANDALS: CAIRO'S ISLAMIC MEDIA REF: Cairo 4362 ¶1. Summary: While Egypt plays host to several religious media outlets, only Holy Quran Radio has any real influence on the Egyptian population and that remains a religious influence. Tightly controlled by the Egyptian government, Holy Quran Radio avoids hard news of any kind, while the three religious print publications, also government- controlled, limit their coverage to non-controversial religious topics. Aqidati, the most sensationalist of the three, routinely publishes stories on black magic and false prophets. The other two newspapers adopt a more instructive tone, advising readers on health matters and reporting on the latest news from Al-Azhar, Cairo's most prestigious mosque and religious studies institute. End summary. ¶2. Like other countries with a majority Muslim population, Egypt plays host to several media outlets whose purpose is to spread religious messages and news related to the religious community. Most prominent among these is the popular FM radio station, Holy Quran Radio. Visitors to Cairo are likely to find themselves in a taxi listening to a reading of the Quran or commentary on the Hadeeth or to hear Holy Quran Radio coming from shops and cafes as they walk along the street. A December 2004 Pan-Arab Research Centre survey on Egypt's media sector found that 58 percent of Cairo respondents claimed to listen to the station more than any other. Avoiding politics altogether, government- controlled Holy Quran Radio broadcasts readings of the Quran and Hadeeth, Quranic interpretations, and religious programming. Announcers routinely instruct listeners to regularly attend mosque, study Islamic teachings, not cheat on their spouses, and not drink or smoke. Holy Quran Radio's ubiquitous religious teachings remain a popular way for Egypt's hard-working and illiterate working class to easily do their duty as Muslims. ¶3. Like Holy Quran Radio, Cairo's three weekly Islamic newspapers are government-owned and controlled and generally avoid discussing political issues. However, unlike Holy Quran Radio, these newspapers have a limited audience. Aqidati ("My Belief") - published by government- owned printing house Al-Gomhouriya and controlled by the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP),which appoints its editors - is the most sensationalist of the three. Headlines from its June 27 edition included: "Christian and Muslim protests in Jerusalem lead to banning of sexual orgy" and "Aqidati continues campaign against witchcraft and magic." The June 27 issue's lead article, "Azhar Secondary School students cheat on exams by using cell phones," profiled allegations that the school was awarding diplomas to cheating students, with published photos of students behind the school reportedly sending text messages to friends taking their exams inside. The newspaper does touch on political issues if they relate to religion, as it did when it published a series of reports on the alleged desecration of the Quran at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. The reporters were decidedly skeptical of USG claims that no such desecration occurred (reftel). Aqidati's circulation is estimated at 10,000. ¶4. Sawt Al-Azhar ("The Voice of Al-Azhar") bills itself as the official voice of Al-Azhar, Egypt's most prestigious and important mosque and source for religious studies. Its reporting tends to follow the statements and actions of the Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar, who is appointed by the GOE. The banner headline in its June 24 issue, for example, read: "The Grand Sheikh ratifies the results of the Koran Memorization Contest at Al-Azhar," a markedly less jaded view of education at Al-Azhar than that of Aqidati. Other articles in the issue reported on student summer activities at Al-Azhar; an interview with the head of the Kuwaiti Authority for Implementing Sharia, claiming that a "savage" world-wide campaign against Muslims is taking place; and alleged "Zionist" designs to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Sawt Al-Azhar also touches on politics when it involves the Grand Sheikh. For example, Sawt Al-Azhar did address the allegations of Quran desecration at Guantanamo, but with a focus on the efforts of the Grand Sheikh to seek clarification from the USG (reftel). ¶5. Cairo's third Islamic newspaper, Al-Liwa Al-Islami ("The Islamic Banner") is also controlled by the NDP, but is more moderate in tone than Sawt Al-Azhar and less sensational than Aqidati. The lead article in its June 30 issue profiles a debate among Muslim scholars about "mercy killings" (euthanasia) in hospitals. While, other June 30 articles offer practical advice on how to prevent youth from smoking and stress that "foreign pressure" is not responsible for improvements to Al-Azhar's curriculum. ¶6. Comment: While Holy Quran Radio has found a niche as an easy source for 24 hour religious instruction, none of the three newspapers has found much of an audience. None costs over one Egyptian pound (around 15 US cents),but their insignificant reporting gives them a limited appeal. Tightly controlled by the Mubarak government and the NDP, these outlets shy away from controversial subjects, such as political reform, covered by more popular media sources. As long as the Egyptian Government deems unacceptable any attempt by Islamic activists to assert themselves in the political realm, these outlets are likely to remain in the realm of kitsch. End comment. CORBIN