Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI3702
2006-09-19 12:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:  

MEDIA REACTION: POPE'S COMMENTS FUEL ANGER AGAINST THE

Tags:  OIIP KMDR TC 
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VZCZCXRO7402
OO RUEHDE
DE RUEHAD #3702 2621250
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191250Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7012
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1110
RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
RHWSMRC/MCF01 SACCS USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003702 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B;
RRU-NEA
IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MCKUNE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: POPE'S COMMENTS FUEL ANGER AGAINST THE
WEST


UNCLAS ABU DHABI 003702

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP; NEA/PPD; NEA/RA; INR/R/MR; PA; INR/NESA; INR/B;
RRU-NEA
IIP/G/NEA-SA
WHITE HOUSE FOR PRESS OFFICE; NSC
SECDEF FOR OASD/PA
USCINCCENT FOR POLAD
LONDON FOR MCKUNE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR TC
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: POPE'S COMMENTS FUEL ANGER AGAINST THE
WEST



1. Summary: A UAE columnist in "Emaratalyoum" is not satisfied
with the Pope's apology. A columnist in "Al-Ittihad" considers the
Pope's statements as a gift to Al-Qaeda. A columnist in
"Al-Khaleej" suggests that the Pope's "offense" is done on purpose
and was timed with other attacks against Islam. End Summary.


2. A UAE columnist, Hamdan Al-Shaair, wrote on Dubai-Based Arabic
Daily "Emaratalyoum," (circulation 20,000) 09/19 op-ed:

"We have been always accused of refusing Western values because of
our belief in conspiracy theories. It seems now that our belief was
correct. The Pope in his speech did not only offend Muslims but
used a prehistoric dialogue between two 'nobodies' to prove that
Islam is a doctrine that is not based on reason. There are several
points to deduce from his speech; first was the timing of his speech
and how it coincided with the 5th memorial period for Sept 11, which
came right after Bush had called Muslims Fascists. This timing came
as part of an explicit political Western agenda whose motives are
Islamophobia crusade-based and whose objectives are to intensify
enmity between the East and the West. Second, it is well known that
the citing of an idea in a speech is usually prepared in advance in
order to deliver the idea in a way tailored to the reader or
listener. Therefore it is stupid to believe that the Pope did not
mean, through the quotations which he used, that Islam does not
contradict reason or exhort terror. Third, to link spreading Islam
with the use of swords and killings contradicts the historical
facts. Islam had spread through the force of logic... while
Christianity in Europe spread through the atrocities caused by
Catholics who killed non-Catholic Christians... Muslims should
demand an apology from the entire Catholic Church, especially since
the Church has previously apologized to the Jews for laying the
fault on them for Jesus' crucifixion. But will a verbal apology be
enough? Shouldn't we call for a real apology to let us live in
peace a nations without someone offending our firm beliefs?"



3. Under the headline "From Bush to the Pope... Gifts to Al-Qaeda",
a columnist, Abdulwahab Badrkhan, wrote on Abu Dhabi-based
semi-official Arabic-language daily "Al-Ittihad" 09/19 (circulation
65,000) op-ed:

"Not a long time ago President Bush used the term Islamic fascism.
Now there is the statement from the head of the Catholic Church on
Jihad... What was not considered well in the Pope's "mistake" is
the damage done to "moderate Islam" and the vast majority of Muslims
who suffer the biggest loss from the Pope's opinions. The
frustration [of Muslims] is so bad. One sarcastically predicted
that Ayman Al-Zawahiri will send the Pope a thank you letter for the
gift which he has presented to Al-Qaeda by confirming what Al-Qaeda
promotes of Western Christian attitudes towards Islam and Muslims."



4. Under headline "The Pope and the "cartoons", a columnist, Jafar
Mohammed Ahmed, wrote a 09/19 op-ed on Sharjah-based Arabic daily
"Al-Khaleej" (circulation 90,000):

"It is a mistake to think that the Pope's anti Islamic statement is
just a slip of the tongue. It is not, given the timing of the
statement which came at a time when the Muslims' angry reaction to
the offensive Danish cartoons is not quiet yet. The West shocks us
again with a fresh offense against the Prophet Mohammed, this time
from the Pope. What is shocking is the fact that the Pope's
statement came at the same period of time when Islam was described
as fascist and Muslims as terrorists. These descriptions came from
Western media and politicians. These are not purely coincidental."


SISON