Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DOHA418
2006-03-19 14:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

ISLAMIC LEADERS DESCRIBE QATAR'S MODERATION

Tags:  SOCI PGOV KISL PTER QA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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).

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