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