Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT1577
2005-10-19 13:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN ONLINE: CONSTITUTIONS, COLONIALISM, AND CACOPHONY

Tags:  KPAO SOCI KISL MU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001577 

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI KISL MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: CONSTITUTIONS, COLONIALISM, AND CACOPHONY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001577

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI KISL MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: CONSTITUTIONS, COLONIALISM, AND CACOPHONY


1. Summary: The Omani Internet message board "al-Sablah" is the
liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic-language forum 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, this popular site nevertheless offers a worthwhile
window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of the day.
This edition of Oman Online contains the following topics:

-- Iraq's Draft Constitution
-- Oman's History In East Africa
-- Loud Imams In Salalah
-- Sheikh Khalifa's Gift To Oman

End summary.

--------------
The Genuine Article
--------------


2. The entire text of the draft Iraqi constitution was posted for
al-Sablah's readers, and a number of forum members (360 hits and
20 responses) took the opportunity to criticize the document,
article by article. "This so-called constitution was written by
American Jews, in consultation with the Israeli government, just
before the occupation - and was approved by the 2002 London
conference of Iraqi opposition leaders under the supervision of
U.S. Ambassador Khalilzad," claimed one writer. Another chimed
in, "Constitutions cannot be drafted under duress or occupation.
For a constitution to be successful, the drafters need absolute
freedom and security, both of which were totally lacking in
Iraq."


3. Although some respondents supported the referendum, the
strongest comments came from those opposed to the constitution.
"Anybody who thinks a unified Iraq will result from this
ratification is mistaken. There will just be a number of small
states in conflict, with different languages, the same as
happened in South Yemen during the British occupation 150 years
ago," noted one contributor. Remarked another, "This
constitution is an example of `Divide and Rule.' Curse the
drafters of this constitution and those who have paved the way
for it."

--------------
Imperial Hubris?
--------------


4. Oman's imperial history in East Africa surfaced as a topic on
the Internet message board, generating 1,500 hits and 34
responses. A debate ensued over Oman's legacy in the region,
with contributors citing slavery and Islam as the Sultanate's two
main exports. "The majority of Omanis who immigrated to Africa

did so with the purpose of establishing trade and commerce.
Unfortunately, these intentions caused a lot of problems. Rather
than bringing over science or culture, the Omanis brought
carnation plants to Zanzibar in the hope of making money,"
offered one writer. Another lamented, "Slavery was the hallmark
of the Omanis during their rule of Zanzibar. This type of human
trade is abhorrent to Islam in particular and humanity as a
whole."


5. Others defended Oman's record: "The Omanis were certainly
interested in trade and expansionism, but that doesn't mean they
neglected the mission of Islam. The good reputation of the
Muslims always preceded the conquering forces. The people of
East Africa were influenced by the nobility of Islam, and that is
why they still embrace it willingly today."

--------------
The Sound And The Fury
--------------


6. Continuing on the theme of Islam, one al-Sablah member alleged
that an imam in Salalah had turned up the volume on his mosque
loudspeakers to intolerable levels. "In order not to cause
problems for both children and sick people, I call upon the
Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs to intervene and keep the
volume at a moderate level," continued the author. 468 people
viewed the topic, and 15 responded. "There is an abundance of
mosques in our country," began one writer, "and you don't need
loudspeakers to find them to pray." Another said, "There are non-
Muslims living near the mosque, and we have to respect their
privacy and feelings." Others disagreed: "What a beauty it is
that our children wake up to a voice saying `God is Great.' It
is strange, especially during Ramadhan, to hear someone say that
the broadcasting of prayers is a disturbance."

--------------
Road To Nowhere
--------------


7. In a popular topic that provoked 1,135 hits and 41 responses,
an author asked "What happened to the RO 100 million gift
(roughly $260 million) from the ruler of the UAE (Shaykh Khalifa)
that was supposed to go towards building a dual carriageway
(highway) from Nizwa to Salalah?" Others took up the call: "We
heard from Dubai and Abu Dhabi TV that the gift was intended for
the construction of a dual carriageway, but the Omani press has
ignored the issue. Is this deliberate, because the money has
been put to other uses?"

8. The conversation then turned to a critique on the tenure of
Ahmed Abd al-Nabi Macki, the Minister of National Economy. "I
want to ask the president of the UAE if he ever heard Macki
saying that the funds would be shifted to other destinations,"
declared one respondent. Another asked, "Who is Macki, and on
what basis can he dispose of Sheikh Khalifa's donation to the
Omani people?" Others became more emotional: "Isn't this a
suitable time for this man to step down and stop his policies
that increase the agony of the Omani people every day? Doesn't
he feel the suffering of his countrymen? The answer is no, a
thousand times."

BALTIMORE