Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI3687
2006-09-18 13:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
UAEG "REGRETS" POPE'S REMARKS ON ISLAM, ADDING
how-toVZCZCXRO6068 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #3687 2611345 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 181345Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6991 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0820 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO VT AE
SUBJECT: UAEG "REGRETS" POPE'S REMARKS ON ISLAM, ADDING
CALL FOR MODERATE RESPONSE
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO VT AE
SUBJECT: UAEG "REGRETS" POPE'S REMARKS ON ISLAM, ADDING
CALL FOR MODERATE RESPONSE
1. (U) Pope Benedict XVI's reported remarks on Islam have
received a modest degree of coverage in UAE printed media
since the story broke, with front-page mention of the
incident and associated reactions in the Muslim world, as
well as inside-page editorial emphasizing the potential
damage done to a meaningful interfaith dialogue.
2. (SBU) The UAEG, which had not commented previously, added
its "regret" over the remarks in a statement issued by the
Cabinet on September 17, describing the Pope's comments as "a
radical turn from the path of his predecessor Pope John Paul
II that held respect for Islam and encouraged dialogue" and
as "a stumbling block for ongoing dialogue to promote
inter-faith harmony." Calling in the statement for "reason
and mutual respect" between religions (particularly the
revealed religions),the UAEG also conveyed its concerns
directly to the Vatican representative in Abu Dhabi in a
joint meeting with the UAE Justice Minister and Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs on September 17. (Comment: The
UAEG likely found these steps necessary to forestall public
anger in a nation where public demonstrations are tightly
controlled and the rulers prefer to prevent emotional issues
from building up steam. End comment.)
3. (U) Presidential religious advisor Ali Al-Hashemi, in a
September 18 comment in the semi-official Arabic daily
Al-Ittihad, called for the Pope to apologize to Muslims and
to cite more balanced sources when discussing Islam (not
citing sources harboring "malice" towards Islam, as
Al-Hashemi implies the Pope did in this instance). Also in
Al-Ittihad, and on the official WAM web site, Under Secretary
of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs Dr. Hamdan bin Musalem
Al-Mazrouie, in a call for moderation, said that respect for
the "people of the book" should prevent Muslims from "going
beyond the Shariah" (i.e., over-reacting) in responding to
the Pope's statements.
SISON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO VT AE
SUBJECT: UAEG "REGRETS" POPE'S REMARKS ON ISLAM, ADDING
CALL FOR MODERATE RESPONSE
1. (U) Pope Benedict XVI's reported remarks on Islam have
received a modest degree of coverage in UAE printed media
since the story broke, with front-page mention of the
incident and associated reactions in the Muslim world, as
well as inside-page editorial emphasizing the potential
damage done to a meaningful interfaith dialogue.
2. (SBU) The UAEG, which had not commented previously, added
its "regret" over the remarks in a statement issued by the
Cabinet on September 17, describing the Pope's comments as "a
radical turn from the path of his predecessor Pope John Paul
II that held respect for Islam and encouraged dialogue" and
as "a stumbling block for ongoing dialogue to promote
inter-faith harmony." Calling in the statement for "reason
and mutual respect" between religions (particularly the
revealed religions),the UAEG also conveyed its concerns
directly to the Vatican representative in Abu Dhabi in a
joint meeting with the UAE Justice Minister and Minister of
State for Foreign Affairs on September 17. (Comment: The
UAEG likely found these steps necessary to forestall public
anger in a nation where public demonstrations are tightly
controlled and the rulers prefer to prevent emotional issues
from building up steam. End comment.)
3. (U) Presidential religious advisor Ali Al-Hashemi, in a
September 18 comment in the semi-official Arabic daily
Al-Ittihad, called for the Pope to apologize to Muslims and
to cite more balanced sources when discussing Islam (not
citing sources harboring "malice" towards Islam, as
Al-Hashemi implies the Pope did in this instance). Also in
Al-Ittihad, and on the official WAM web site, Under Secretary
of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs Dr. Hamdan bin Musalem
Al-Mazrouie, in a call for moderation, said that respect for
the "people of the book" should prevent Muslims from "going
beyond the Shariah" (i.e., over-reacting) in responding to
the Pope's statements.
SISON