JULY 14 FRIDAY SERMONS AVERT STRONG WORDS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000487 SIPDIS SIPDIS RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2016 TAGS: KISL SA PREL PGOV SUBJECT: JULY 14 FRIDAY SERMONS AVERT STRONG WORDS ON MIDEAST CONFLICT Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mecca sermons focused on the need for brotherhood amongst all Muslims and its importance in combating the enemies of religion. The Medina sermons addressed the importance of optimism in times of crisis and made mention of the tyranny of the Jews over Palestine, but made no mention of the conflict in Lebanon. Riyadh's local sermons avoided the topic of the current situation altogether, to the dismay of the worshippers. However, both Jeddah and the Eastern Province reported discussions in the local mosques of the violence in the Middle East. END SUMMARY. -------------- MECCA: Brotherhood Among Muslims -------------- ¶2. (C) Mecca sermons focused on the bond of brotherhood among Muslims. In the first sermon, Imam Shaykh Usamah ibn-Abdallah Khayyat quoted extensively from the Koran on verses urging all Muslims to band together and not be divided. He talked about fighting amongst Muslims, citing the verse: "If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them; but if one of them transgresses beyond the bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the command of God. But if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair; for God loves those who are fair and just." ¶3. (C) The second sermon in Mecca dealt with the bond of brotherhood as a necessity to overcome global challenges. The Imam stated, "(Muslim brotherhood) led the hordes of Muslims in the past to victory in this world and God's pleasure in the hereafter, and it can help the nation face the challenges around it and achieve victory and might." He proceeded to invoke prayers to destroy the enemies of religion and to unify Muslims. Although these sermons did not directly reference the conflict in Lebanon and Israel, they indirectly addressed the issue of Shi'a versus Sunn'a Muslims as well as the need to jointly overcome their opposition. ¶4. (C) Although the main mosques are tightly controlled and therefore do not tend to deviate much from the instructions of the Grand Mufti, local mosques often do, particularly in times of stress and conflict. A Meccan scholar, however, reported to ConGenOffs that there was no mention of the Israel-Lebanon contact in the Friday sermons in the local mosques. He claimed that although there were expectations of its discussion, they neither addressed the violence nor the SAG reaction to the conflict. -------------- MEDINA: Virtue of Optimism -------------- ¶5. (C) The Medina sermons focused on the need for optimism among Muslims. In the first sermon, Imam Shaykh Abdulbari bin Awad al-Thubayti talked about the disasters, trials and tribulations plaguing Muslims worldwide and urged them not to despair. He pontificated about the virtues of optimism and states that "the basis of optimism is trust in God and acceptance of His will." He further states, "The optimist we are talking about is the one that renews vigor, resolve and action." The Imam continues to talk about the need for optimism and hope in order to "remove from the nation the sense of humiliation," fearing that one without hope "hates people and does not trust anyone. He might commit suicide or resort to violence and killing, which, he thinks, is the best way out." ¶6. (C) The second sermon in Medina focuses on the need to alleve pessimism in order to create strength. He said that focusing on the strength of the infidels can lead to weakness and despair in the nation. He ended the second sermon with prayers for the safety of this and other Muslim countries. He asked for support for the brothers in Palestine, giving them victory over the tyranny of the Jews. He also asked for support for the brothers in Iraq, to protect them from every evil and distress. As with the Mecca sermons, the Medina ones did not mention the current conflict, but alluded to the need for strength and unity during this current conflict. -------------- -------------- RIYADH: Summer Vacations Overshadow Mideast Conflict -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) The Friday sermons at local mosques in Riyadh did not discuss, to the dismay of the worshippers, the conflict in Lebanon and Israel. Instead, they concentrated on the general topic of spending leisure time fruitfully, such as by engaging in religious studies, instead of watching forbidden movies, listening to music or traveling abroad. Some mosques stressed the need to pray for all Muslims, and one made a supplementary prayer calling for the victory of the Mujahedeens in Palestine, Kashmir and Chechnya, and for the defeat of those who want to perpetrate evil against Muslims. ¶8. (C) Many Muslims in Riyadh expressed unhappiness about the Friday sermons during private gatherings and in internet chat rooms throughout the week. They felt that there was a lack of interest in the calamity befalling their Muslim brothers in Palestine and Lebanon, and that the Imams wasted their time by discussing trivial matters instead of the current crisis. -------------- -------------- EASTERN PROVINCE: Muslims Worldwide Must Band Together -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C) Shaykh Mohammad al-Qahtani's sermon this Friday focused on the current state of affairs in the Islamic world. In his first sermon, the Imam began with the history of Muslims, praising their endurance for the harsh condition in which they lived. He compared them to modern-day Muslims, whom he criticized for behaving immaturely and ungratefully even though they live in absolute splendor and comfort. He talked in sadness and despair about the current state of Muslims and claimed that they must exhibit more fortitude, courage, gallantry, motivation, leadership, conviction, presence of mind, initiative and understanding of their surroundings and of their enemies if they are ever to measure up to their ancestors. He condemned the so-called "Jihadists" as cowards who only target Muslim countries and innocent people. He claimed that true "Jihadists" are the heroes who fight on the enemy's doorsteps, and that the fight does not necessarily have to occur through violent means. ¶10. (C) The second part of the sermon focused on the current military confrontation in the Middle East. He described it as a well thought out plan to drive Muslims from their homes and their land using any and all pretexts and excuses. He added Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Sudan to the list of Muslim nations that he said are targets of American and Zionist attacks. He added that it is a pity that Arabs and Muslims are not banding together to confront the embargoes, besieges and attacks on their nations and their economies. The sermons of the Eastern Province openly focused on current conflict unlike the rest of the Kingdom, and this reaction signifies their feelings of unity with the Shi'a outside of Saudi Arabia. -------------- JEDDAH: Mideast Conflict Addressed -------------- ¶11. (C) ConGenOffs received reports that the Israel-Lebanon conflict was addressed in some Friday sermons in Jeddah. The reports indicated that the Imams stressed the unjust actions of Israel. Gfoeller