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