Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JEDDAH659
2006-10-16 12:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, SEPTEMBER 22:

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL KISL SA SCUL 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9583
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000659 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP; PARIS FOR
WALLER; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KISL SA SCUL
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, SEPTEMBER 22:
MECCA, MEDINA, AL-KHOBAR


Classified By: Acting Consul General CB Toney,
for reaons 1.4 (c) and (d)

-----------------------------------
MECCA: ISLAM SPREAD PEACEFULLY
-------------------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000659

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP; PARIS FOR
WALLER; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KISL SA SCUL
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, SEPTEMBER 22:
MECCA, MEDINA, AL-KHOBAR


Classified By: Acting Consul General CB Toney,
for reaons 1.4 (c) and (d)

--------------
MECCA: ISLAM SPREAD PEACEFULLY
--------------


1. (C) Shaykh Usamah bin-Abdallah Khayyat delivered the
sermon at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on September 22. The
imam condemned statements made against Islam without
mentioning Pope Benedict XVI by name. The sermon opposed the
view that Islam has been spread through violence. The imam
said, "The call to Islam still exists on love, choice, and
conviction, based on proof and far from compulsion, coercion,
and intimidation." He continued, "Jihad in the cause of God
was sanctioned to protect the freedom of the call and to
remove any obstacles before it. It was not sanctioned at all
to oppress people or to force them to convert to Islam.
Therefore, it is not correct to say that Islam spread all
over the world by violence and the sword. It is a false
claim that has no basis." The imam attributed the spread of
Islam to trade and "righteous Muslims" who influenced others
to accept Islam.

--------------
CAUTION AGAINST "HASTY ACTIONS"
--------------


2. (C) The imam cautioned against hasty actions caused by
anger. He advised Muslims to "not get involved in erroneous
and forbidden behavior, such as death and destruction,
sabotage, arson, and such corrupt methods, which God and his
messenger have forbidden, and thus become a cause and an
opportunity" for non-Muslims to criticize Islam.


3. (C) The sermon concluded with prayers for Allah to
support Islam and Muslims, destroy the enemies of religion,
tyrants, and the corrupt, unify Muslims, and guide their
rulers. Prayers were also offered for safety from evil.

--------------
MEDINA: METHOD OF ISLAM IS DIALOGUE,
CONVICTION, ARGUMENT, AND PROOF
--------------


4. (C) Shaykh Abd-al-Bari bin-Awad delivered the sermon at
the holy mosque in Medina. The sermon addressed Pope

Benedict XVI,s remarks about Islam. The imam said, "The
greatness of Islam appears in addressing the People of the
Book with the method of dialogue, conviction, argument and
proof...dispute not with the People of the Book, except with
means better than mere deputation; unless it be with those of
them who inflict wrong and injury." The imam referred to the
"media campaign against Islam" and said that it has roots "as
old as Islam." Drawing a historical link, he held that it is
"one of the methods of repulsion against the path of God,
beginning with the unbelievers of Quraysh and until our
modern era." The imam explained that many, particularly
People of the Book, are "angered" by the spread of Islam, and
after "failing" to find real claims against Islam and the
Prophet, they have resorted to "distortion through the
media."

--------------
ISLAM WAS NOT SPREAD BY THE SWORD
--------------


5. (C) The imam said, "Islam did not march to Africa and
parts of Asia with the sword. The sword did not reach those
areas. Islam reached them through traders and travelers and
their good example and manners. The talk that Islam is a
religion that was established by the sword is a vicious and
poisonous claim."

--------------
CALL FOR APOLOGY FROM POPE
--------------


6. (C) The imam called for the Pope to "openly apologize to
all Muslims" for his "despicable" statements. The imam
warned that such statements "provoke feelings, sow the seeds

JEDDAH 00000659 002 OF 002


of division, and rouse sedition and hostilities with serious
consequences, which only God knows." (Comment: The imam
seems to be alluding to violent acts, "caused" by the Pope,s
words. End Comment.)

--------------
ISLAM DISTORTED BY WESTERN MEDIA
--------------


7. (C) The imam expressed support for "practical and
scientific plans" to explain Islam. "We have failed in
conveying the message of Islam. The true Islamic message has
not reached all people. It is being distorted through western
media." (Comment: The imam stressed the oft-argued claim
that the "media" is distorting Islam, Muslims, and the Middle
East. It is a positive sign that the imam is supporting a
"scientific" approach to Islam, though most likely this will
entail carefully selecting "scientific" evidence that
"proves" the claims of Islam, and not necessarily approaching
the entire subject with the scientific method in mind. End
Comment.)


8. (C) In the second sermon, the imam hailed the month of
Ramadan. He called on Muslims to seek forgiveness and
receive the month with purified hearts. He concluded with a
prayer to support Islam and keep Muslims safe.

-------------- --------------
AL-KHOBAR: RAMADAN IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOOD DEEDS
-------------- --------------


9. (C) The substitute imam, once again delivered the sermon
at the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal Mosque. The
whereabouts of Shaikh Mohammad al-Qahtani are still unknown.
The imam spoke of the rules during the month of Ramadan and
of its significance in the life of a Muslim. He explained
that Ramadan is a "great opportunity" for Muslims "to earn
extra good points for good behavior and dedication" to God.
The imam encouraged the people to do good deeds, use kind
words, and help the less fortunate, adding that "God rewards
good deeds done in Ramadan in "greater proportions than
regular days." The sermon was concluded by reviewing
examples from the Prophet,s life during Ramadan.

TONEY