Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANJUL137
2006-03-04 13:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Banjul
Cable title:
THE GAMBIA: CHRISTIAN COUNCIL ADDRESSES CARTOON
how-toVZCZCXRO8520 RR RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHMOS RUEHPA RUEHPW DE RUEHJL #0137 0631301 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041301Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY BANJUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6452 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BANJUL 000137
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO XF GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: CHRISTIAN COUNCIL ADDRESSES CARTOON
CONTROVERSY
REF: A. BANJUL 75
B. BANJUL 69
C. BANJUL 65 (ALL NOTAL)
STATEMENT ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY
---------------------------------
UNCLAS BANJUL 000137
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO XF GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: CHRISTIAN COUNCIL ADDRESSES CARTOON
CONTROVERSY
REF: A. BANJUL 75
B. BANJUL 69
C. BANJUL 65 (ALL NOTAL)
STATEMENT ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY
--------------
1. (U) The Gambia Christian Council (GCC),representing the
various churches serving The Gambia's tiny Christian
community, has issued a statement in reaction to the
controversy generated by the recent publication of cartoons
of the Prophet Mohamed in a Danish newspaper. As reported by
the local media March 3, in its "Letter of Solidarity and
Support" directed at the country's Muslim majority, the GCC
expressed its "sympathy" to the world's Muslims over the
"stress" caused them by the cartoons. Alluding to violent
reactions to the cartoons elsewhere, the GCC said, "we are
thankful that what has happened in other countries is not
happening here." The GCC concluded with an appeal for
adherents of all faiths to "respect the beliefs and
traditions of each other."
COMMENT
--------------
2. (SBU) The GCC's statement is indicative of the harmony
prevailing among members of all faiths in this predominantly
Muslim country, where, in addition to Christians, there are
animists and Bahais. As previously reported (reftels),
reaction in The Gambia to the cartoon controversy has
heretofore been peaceful and low-key, with no public
protests, to our knowledge. Prior to the GCC's statement,
the sole public pronouncement on the matter had come from the
country's "Supreme Islamic Council," which denounced the
cartoons' publication as "unacceptable and offensive to
Muslims' beliefs" (ref b). We believe that any further
reactions here will likewise be peaceful and not detract from
the prevailing calm in the capital and elsewhere. END
COMMENT.
STAFFORD
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO XF GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: CHRISTIAN COUNCIL ADDRESSES CARTOON
CONTROVERSY
REF: A. BANJUL 75
B. BANJUL 69
C. BANJUL 65 (ALL NOTAL)
STATEMENT ON CARTOON CONTROVERSY
--------------
1. (U) The Gambia Christian Council (GCC),representing the
various churches serving The Gambia's tiny Christian
community, has issued a statement in reaction to the
controversy generated by the recent publication of cartoons
of the Prophet Mohamed in a Danish newspaper. As reported by
the local media March 3, in its "Letter of Solidarity and
Support" directed at the country's Muslim majority, the GCC
expressed its "sympathy" to the world's Muslims over the
"stress" caused them by the cartoons. Alluding to violent
reactions to the cartoons elsewhere, the GCC said, "we are
thankful that what has happened in other countries is not
happening here." The GCC concluded with an appeal for
adherents of all faiths to "respect the beliefs and
traditions of each other."
COMMENT
--------------
2. (SBU) The GCC's statement is indicative of the harmony
prevailing among members of all faiths in this predominantly
Muslim country, where, in addition to Christians, there are
animists and Bahais. As previously reported (reftels),
reaction in The Gambia to the cartoon controversy has
heretofore been peaceful and low-key, with no public
protests, to our knowledge. Prior to the GCC's statement,
the sole public pronouncement on the matter had come from the
country's "Supreme Islamic Council," which denounced the
cartoons' publication as "unacceptable and offensive to
Muslims' beliefs" (ref b). We believe that any further
reactions here will likewise be peaceful and not detract from
the prevailing calm in the capital and elsewhere. END
COMMENT.
STAFFORD