ISLAMIC LEADERS DESCRIBE QATAR'S MODERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000418 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2016 TAGS: SOCI PGOV KISL PTER QA SUBJECT: ISLAMIC LEADERS DESCRIBE QATAR'S MODERATION Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Prominent Islamic scholars describe a prevailing state of tolerance in Qatar. While fundamentalist tendencies exist, followers are not hostile to other members of society. According to these Islamic leaders, the Qatari government's policy of promoting religious moderation has had an impact. The large Faculty of Islamic Studies at Qatar University is undergoing liberal reforms. Two somewhat conservative Islamic scholars welcomed meetings with P/E chief and argued that the U.S. must take steps to avert a clash between Muslim and Western extremists and to improve its image in the region through dialogue. End Summary. -------------- Islamic Studies at Qatar University -------------- ¶2. (C) Dr. Aisha al-Mannai, dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies at Qatar University, described an academic environment in which differing views are tolerated and accepted. As proof, she said that she, as a woman, is respected as dean by all her students, even the more conservative ones. The dean said there is no tension in the student body. Though there are some Salafis, with their own conservative views, they keep it personal. Qatar is small and radical ideas do not permeate, the dean said. ¶3. (U) The faculty separated from the Faculty of Law last year, an important change that means the Islamic Studies faculty trains religious scholars rather than judges. This allows the legal curriculum to develop in civil, commercial, and other fields not addressed by Sharia Law. The dean said that the Faculty of Islamic Studies consists of three tracks: Usoul al-Deen (study of the Koran and hadith),Islamic Jurisprudence (philosophy of commenting on religion),and Dawa (propagation of Islam) and Islamic Culture. Degrees are awarded in the first two tracks. There are plans for a third degree incorporating media classes into Dawa. The Islamic Studies faculty trains 600 students, 70% of whom are female. ¶4. (U) Islamic Studies graduates can look for jobs in Awqaf, Islamic banking, Ministry of Justice, and teaching. Most are in fact interested in working after leaving the university. The faculty will try to help students get necessary qualifications, such as financial or teaching skills, the dean said. ¶5. (C) Dr. al-Mannai emphasized the tone of moderation in her department. Thirty percent of teaching is or will be in English, she said, in part to accommodate non-native Arabic speaking students and in recognition of the fact that propagation of Islam occurs largely outside the Arab region. She is revamping teaching methods to make them more modern; she said students will no longer just listen to lectures and "fall asleep." The dean described an open academic philosophy: You must seek knowledge from all sources including non-Muslims; you must be dedicated to your field of expertise wisdom seek from those who have it. ¶6. (C) P/E Chief asked the degree to which Islamic teachings could be reinterpreted. Al-Mannai replied that it is permitted to take a "second look" at hadith and teachings. For example, she believes Islam permits women to work, whereas some still say they should remain at home and cannot be presidents or members of parliament. She said her professors exercise academic freedom but they have regular dialogue amongst themselves. ¶7. (C) Al-Mannai interpreted the term "Wahhabism" as describing a fairly intolerant movement. In addition to its historical context, it is a religious view that allows Muslims to oppose other Muslims whom they do not see as being correct enough. Some religious leaders accept this idea, she said, but it's not a state policy. She would not describe herself as Wahhabi. -------------- -------------- Prominent Professor: Preachers in Qatar are Moderate -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) P/E Chief met with Islam Online Vice Chairman and Qatar University professor Dr. Ali Mohi al-Din al-Quradaghi in February 2006. He was welcoming and engaging. Quradaghi is an aide and intellectual deputy of prominent Sunni cleric Yousef al-Qaradawi. Quradaghi, who studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo and later wrote a doctoral dissertation comparing contract law in Roman, Islamic, and other legal systems at Ain Shams University, said he has worked with Qaradawi for 30 years and implied that there is no difference between their views. ¶9. (C) Islam is open to other civilizations and cultures, Quradaghi said. Qaradawi and other imams in Qatar are moderate. Their teachings have an impact; this is why Qatar is tolerant. Quradaghi said that Qaradawi advised inquirers not to go to Iraq for Jihad, for example, and that it is correct to greet non-Muslims, contrary to some reactionary views. ¶10. (C) Quradaghi argued with concern that there is a great need to avoid a clash with the West that would only "benefit the extremists on both sides." He feared events were leading the West and Islamic countries in that direction. ¶11. (C) Quradaghi proved to be more logical and less contradictory in his statements than his prominent mentor. He conveyed the view that the idea of "takfir" -- a Muslim stating that another is not true to the faith -- sprang out of the repression of Egyptian prisons. (Note. We understand this view of history is shared by the Muslim Brotherhood. End Note.) Add in Western policies in the Middle East and Arab dictatorships, and the dangerous terrorist threat is the result. Quradaghi is also more capable of criticizing Arab governments and society and believes Arabs should be more critical of themselves. He recounted (on another occasion) his shock that Arabs refused to believe that Saddam Hussein attacked the citizens of Halabja with poison gas in 1988. Note. Quradaghi is a Kurd. End Note. -------------- --- Salafi Preacher: America Needs to Engage Muslims -------------- --- ¶12. (C) Abdel Salam Bassiouni, an Egyptian scholar and Imam of the Abu Bakr mosque in Doha, is known as a Salafi preacher, yet he warmly welcomed a meeting with P/E Chief. He said Americans must engage Muslims in the Middle East and not rely on stereotypes. At a minimum, the two sides will get to know each other based on facts; perhaps they will find "good things" about the other and develop mutual respect. ¶13. (C) America, he said, has many great characteristics, such as education and culture. But its reputation has been hurt and misunderstandings have developed. America needs to do more to fix the situation. ¶14. (C) Bassiouni said he "loves" Qatar because it is peaceful and open. Not only do the Amir and senior leadership have an open outlook, he said, but the people do, too. Education is the key to openness. If one reads, one will get to know and accept other cultures. He compared Qatar favorably with Saudi Arabia, where he said the "bedouin" mindset has resulted in less education and reading about other cultures. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶15. (C) Opinions in Qatar, whether on politics, religion, or social issues, tend to gravitate toward a certain accepted line. The clear message from Qatar is that it is religiously tolerant. This message is borne out by certain observations: Qataris have, by and large, accepted certain social changes such as the role of women leaders; they accept foreigners to live, dress, and worship pretty much as they please; and there is no discernable Sunni-Shia strife (Shia make up about 10% of the population). There are some rumblings of discontent, but these are of minor significance as most Qataris enjoy their growing prosperity. UNTERMEYER