OMAN ONLINE: DOHA BOMBING AND VERDICT IN ATTEMPTED

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000489

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: DOHA BOMBING AND VERDICT IN ATTEMPTED
MURDER CASE



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:

-- Denouncing the Doha Bombing
-- Life Imprisonment for attempted murder of Briton

End summary.

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Condemning Terror
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2. Al-Sablah participants strongly condemned the Doha suicide
bombing. One subscriber wrote, "This was an immoral act that
goes against the teachings of Islam." Another participant added,
"Terrorism is taking hold in this region. We must all cooperate
in the fight to eradicate it." An Al-Majarra subscriber
commented, "There can be no justification for such a heartless
act. Islam does not condone the killing of children and innocent
people." However, one Al-Majarra subscriber expressed a contrary
view: "Millions of Iraqis and other Muslims are being killed in
Iraq. I do not hear anyone denouncing their deaths."

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The Punishment for Trying to Kill
--------------


3. Al-Sablah members also commented on the recent sentencing of
Muhammad al-Harthy, an Omani citizen, found guilty of attempting
to murder a British citizen in Oman. Mr. al-Harthy was sentenced
to life in prison (in reality 25 years) and ordered to pay 18,000
Omani riyals (approximately USD 47,000). Many al-Sablah
subscribers considered the sentence excessive. One participant
stated, "The sentence was too severe. After all, no one was
killed. Besides, if the victim had been an Omani, the sentence
would have been a lot less harsh." However, a large number of
participants thought that the sentence was fair: "We believe in
a peaceful society. It is important to tolerate other religions
and cultures. This guy casts shame on our country."

BALTIMORE