OMAN ONLINE: HURRICANES AND HIGH REGARD

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001360

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, IIP/G/NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: HURRICANES AND HIGH REGARD


1. Summary: The Omani Internet message boards "al-Sablah" and
"al-Majarra" are the liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic-
language fora for political and social discourse in the country,
touching on issues and personalities rarely addressed in the
conventional media. While not totally free, nor wholly
reflective of Omani public opinion, these popular sites
nevertheless offer a worthwhile window into the hot topics and
unvarnished views of the day. This edition of Oman Online
contains the following topics:

-- Views On Hurricane Katrina
-- "A Country That Deserves Our Respect"

End summary.

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One Gulf Comments On Another
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2. Hurricane Katrina absorbed the bulk of al-Sablah's attention
over the past week, and contributors discussed many different
aspects of the disaster. When one member wrote, "Let the
Americans get a taste of what they have done to the Iraqis and to
the Muslims in Afghanistan," a large number of respondents
quickly rose to the American victims' defense. "The Arab people
who gloated about the misfortune of the Americans should be
ashamed of themselves," charged one author. Another observed,
"Many of you tend to remember only the bad deeds and forget the
good ones. Although we do not agree with some American policies,
I appreciate the support of the American people during the
catastrophic and horrific natural disasters that strike many
people around the world." Agreed another, "It is well-known that
the Americans are the fastest to come to the aid of the
afflicted."


3. Participants also wondered about Oman's official reaction to
the disaster. One member posed the question, "What would you say
if the Sultan decides to donate money to America?" The vast
majority of respondents indicated their approval: "Yes, we would
welcome any donation of aid to the American victims or any other
suffering human soul, regardless of their religion or ethnicity."


4. Qatar's offer of $100 million in aid did not garner quite the
same level of support from al-Sablah members. "Many poor
countries like Bangladesh have been hit by natural tragedies, but
nobody supported them," claimed one writer. Another asked, "Why
are the Qataris donating to the Americans now, when they have not
helped any other country before?" Replied a third, "Qatar has
the largest U.S. military base in the Gulf. They are almost an
American colony; hence, they had to make the donation." A
different participant argued, "Why not donate? Let the people of
the world know that Muslims can act to rescue their fellow men
and women, and that we are not just a source for terrorism."


5. Other members used the occasion to make political statements
about their own societies. Observed one writer, "The Arabs are
living in dark ages because they lack democracy and freedom of
expression. Tyranny, the existence of a police state, and
ignorant leaders are the real Katrina." Contended another, "If
the hurricane had struck us, it would have been better than the
'Katrina' of oppression, poverty, and control."

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R-E-S-P-E-C-T
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6. One al-Sablah contributor penned a rare ode of praise to
America: "A country where the president can be taken to court for
inappropriate personal actions, or a country where a mother can
strongly and publicly question the president about why her son
was killed in a war without fear of being arrested, is a country
that deserves our respect and admiration." The few people who
responded to the statement generally agreed with the author;
"Although Islam teaches us a lot of things to improve our
society, we find others like the Americans who implement these
things mor