Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MUSCAT227
2005-02-09 11:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN ONLINE: PRAISE FOR HM, CRITICISM FOR THE FESTIVAL

Tags:  KPAO SOCI 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 MUSCAT 000227 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
(FFINVER),IIP/G/NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: PRAISE FOR HM, CRITICISM FOR THE FESTIVAL


UNCLAS MUSCAT 000227

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS),NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY),NEA/P
(FFINVER),IIP/G/NEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: PRAISE FOR HM, CRITICISM FOR THE FESTIVAL



1. Summary: The Omani Internet chat rooms "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:

-- Anonymous SMS message sent to mobile phones
-- Calls to boycott the Muscat Festival

End summary.

--------------
Anonymous Messages
--------------


2. Many Omanis received an anonymous SMS text message on their
cell phones recently praising the Sultan for condemning terrorist
acts. The message contained no information about the sender
except for the initials "A.C.A." Many Al-Sablah subscribers
believed the message was in response to criticism of the
government sparked by recent raids on the homes of Omanis accused
of harming the country's national security. One participant
speculated, "The government created this message to diffuse
criticism about the about the arrests."


3. Several Al-Sablah participants commented that they contacted
the telephone company to inquire about the sender. One
subscriber wrote, "The telephone company's response was, `The
message was sent by an anonymous person. It contains a poem
praising the Sultan.'" Another participant stated, "The message
is somebody's attempt to ingratiate himself with the Sultan."

--------------
Festivals Are Bad
--------------


4. In the last few weeks, Omanis have been preoccupied with the
two topics: the arrest of religious leaders and the Muscat
Festival. While some Al-Sablah subscribers acknowledged that
there might be attempts to commit terrorist acts in the country,
it would not be by Omani religious leaders. Linking the two
issues, one participant wrote, "There may be attempts to
undertake terrorist acts in Oman, but our sheikhs are not the
ones promoting them. The real culprit is the Municipality of
Muscat because it insists on organizing festivals that encourage
corruption and evil practices."


5. Other subscribers complained, "the Municipality contracts
singers and entertainers who spread bad practices, while the
government imprisons and insults our religious leaders." Another
participant criticized the Muscat Festival stating, "It
encourages men and women to intermingle and watch shows with
people dancing and singing. I do not understand why Abdullah
Abbas (Director General of Muscat Municipality),is bringing
depravity and corruption to our country. How will he be received
on Judgment Day?" Other subscribers expressed their frustration
with the government writing, "The government is hopeless. It
does not answer our calls for a good society. This government is
the real terrorist."

BALTIMORE