MOSQUE SERMONS IN SAUDI ARABIA: AVOID WASTING TIME

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 002238

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RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; LONDON FOR GOLDRICH; PARIS
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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2015
TAGS: PGOV KISL
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS IN SAUDI ARABIA: AVOID WASTING TIME
DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS; CRITICISM OF VIOLENCE IN THE
KINGDOM

Classified By: ACTING CONSUL GENERAL CAROL KALIN
FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d).


1. (C) Summary: In Friday, July 1 sermons, imams in Mecca
and Medina noted the start of the summer holiday season in
Saudi Arabia by reminding congregants of the "dangers" of
wasting time. In Mecca, the imam also criticized "deviants"
who had caused bloodshed and violence in Saudi Arabia, and
prayed for the success of the Saudi leader. Meanwhile, in
the Eastern Province, the imam at the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
Mosque in Khobar questioned Arab leaders for not defending
the rights of their people and indirectly criticized Saudis
for their poor treatment of non-Arab Muslims. Mosques in
Riyadh focused on the importance of prayer and the ritual
duties of Islam. Reports suggest that due to the closure of
Saudi schools for the summer, many people have left for
vacations resulting in noticeably lower attendance at Friday
sermons. End summary.

FROM THE GRAND MOSQUE IN MECCA: THE DANGERS OF WASTING TIME;
VIOLENCE IN THE KINGDOM


2. (U) In Mecca, Shaykh Salih al-Talib delivered a July 1
sermon at the Grand Mosque stating that while Islam allowed
Muslims to take a rest during the summer holidays, such rest
and recreation should not violate the teachings of Islam, or
waste time. He added that Muslims should avoid idleness and
the abandonment of Islamic duties during the holiday season.
"Laziness and idleness are a serious disease, which reflects
negatively on individuals and societies, and leads to
poverty."


3. (U) The imam also criticized violence in Saudi Arabia,
regretting that some youths have deviated from sound beliefs.
"Such a deviation leads to killing and bloodshed in
confrontations between two Muslim parties in the country of
the two holy mosques. Fair people, as well as thoroughly
versed ulema, have said their word. Will you stop this?
Much blood has been shed-- blood, which should have been used
for construction in accordance with the ulema's (religious
authority's) advice and the teachings of the last of the
prophets. As an adviser, I appeal to those who have departed
from the group and committed a mistake to return, or turn
themselves in and repent." Al-Talib concluded by praying for
the success of the Saudi leader.

MEDINA IMAM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT IDLENESS IN THE SUMMER


4. (U) At the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, Shaykh Ali
Abd-al-Rahman al-Hudhayfi urged Muslims to use the summer
holidays to do good deeds and carry out their religious
duties. He decried young men wasting their time in the
summer, damaging their health, and missing opportunities. He
urged parents to encourage their children to attend
scientific courses and read the Koran over the summer. He
stated that happiness lies in the worship of God, while
laziness results in unhappiness.

IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE, CRITICISM OF ARAB LEADERS; CALLS FOR
EQUALITY AMONG MUSLIMS


5. (C) At the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal Mosque in al-Khobar, the
imam harshly addressed Arab leaders for not standing up for
the rights of their own people. He also indirectly
criticized Saudis for their poor treatment of non-Arab
Muslims. For example, the imam criticized people who do not
care about the fate of Pakistani or Afghani detainees at
Guantanamo Bay, but instead focus on the fate of the Saudi
prisoners. "Since when is Islam defined by trivialities,
such as national borders, a person's nationality and other
worldly concerns?" he asked. "It makes one wonder who was
included in the Prophet Muhammad's message, was it the people
of the Middle East or was it the rest of the world?"


6. (C) The imam underscored his point by telling the
congregants that "Christians and Jews are much better than us
in this department," because they "care what happens to their
own. They even care what happens to their Muslim citizens."
He subsequently returned to the subject of Guantanamo Bay,
stating that the British, French, Germans, Italians, and
Australians all have succeeded in securing the release of
their nationals. "Their nationals were Muslims, but this did
not prevent these countries from making the effort. What a
shame!"

7. (C) Finally, the imam harshly criticized Arab leaders for
not caring about their people, and decried the "ignorant
scholars and yellow leaders who neither care for Muslims nor
possess the will to help them." The imam prayed for God "to
bestow us with better leaders whom we can be proud of."

IN RIYADH, IMAMS REMAIN FOCUSED ON PRAYER, RITUAL ISLAMIC
DUTIES


8. (C) At the Al Hessey Mosque in Riyadh, Shaykh Abdul
Rahman stressed the importance of prayer, which he stated is
the primary distinguishing factor between a Muslim and a
non-Muslim. He also reminded congregants to perform the
ritual duties of Islam, and prayed for the dignity of Muslims
and Muslim leaders. Contacts in Riyadh did not report any
mention in this week's sermons of disrespect of the Quran by
non-Muslims, support for "mujahedeen" groups, or criticism of
terrorists operating in the Kingdom.
KALIN