BAHRAIN SPECIAL IV PROPOSAL: "BRIDGES ACROSS FAITH

UNCLAS MANAMA 001433 SIPDIS STATE for R (KHUGHES and DPOWELL),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PREL PGOV PTER OEXC BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN SPECIAL IV PROPOSAL: "BRIDGES ACROSS FAITH AND CULTURE" Ref A: Manama 01292; Ref B: Smith/Hornbuckle email 9/30 ¶1. Summary: Embassy Manama proposes a special International Visitor program to send a delegation of five to six Bahraini religious leaders to the U.S. under the theme of "Building Bridges Across Faith and Culture." Efforts to engage regional Muslim leaders and encourage messages of tolerance, moderation and solidarity against extremist violence have found fertile ground in Bahrain. In recent discussions, the Bahraini Ministry of Islamic Affairs requested USG support to help send a delegation of Bahraini clerics to the United States to discuss with American Muslim leaders how to encourage greater tolerance, moderation, and interfaith dialogue (Ref A). This program will build on the foundation laid by a special Speaker program planned for Ramadan (October 18-19),when American Imam Yahya Hendi, of Georgetown University, visits Bahrain as a guest speaker of the Ministry. We believe a special SCP International Visitor program would be an excellent follow-on project where greater and more focused dialogue can take place, offering Bahraini clerics a view of religious life in the United States, and help fulfill MPP goals in building mutual understanding, and forming linkages across cultures and faiths. End Summary. ¶2. In Ref B, posts were requested to provide proposals for supplemental funding from R in FY 06, and to include the following information. ¶3. Funding Amount: $50,000 ¶4. Performance Goals: Exchanges increase mutual understanding and build trust between Americans and Bahrainis. ¶5. Intended audience: Initial audience is Bahraini clerical community. These leaders are among the most influential opinion-leaders in Bahrain, and have the potential to reach tens of thousands of people with a positive message about the United States, particularly as a country with shared respect for Islam, cultural and religious identity in general. ¶6. What will the program accomplish? The program will facilitate understanding and build lasting linkages between the Islamic and other religious communities in Bahrain and the U.S. Dialogue between religious communities in Bahrain and the U.S. reinforces messages of tolerance, moderation, and shared values, and strengthens solidarity against violent extremism. ¶7. Measure of effectiveness: Amplification of statements by religious, political and civil society leaders against extremist violence and in favor of tolerance, moderation, and mutual understanding, measurable by monitoring of commentary, including Friday sermons, newspaper columns, and follow-on contact among participants and their U.S. contacts. ¶8. Post thanks NEA/PPD and R for considering this proposal. MONROE