Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JEDDAH673
2006-10-28 07:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, OCTOBER 13:

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL KISL SA SCUL 
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DE RUEHJI #0673 3010703
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 280703Z OCT 06
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9602
INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1550
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1629
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 6910
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000673 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KISL SA SCUL
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, OCTOBER 13:
MECCA, MEDINA, AL-KHOBAR


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

MECCA: LAST 10 NIGHTS OF RAMADAN ARE HOLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000673

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2016
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KISL SA SCUL
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, OCTOBER 13:
MECCA, MEDINA, AL-KHOBAR


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

MECCA: LAST 10 NIGHTS OF RAMADAN ARE HOLY


1. (C) Sheikh Salih bin-Abdallah bin-Humayd delivered the
sermon in Mecca on October 13. He emphasized the holiness of
the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the Night of
Power. The imam urged Muslims to make the best of Ramadan by
praying, reading the Koran, and giving charity. In the
second sermon the imam explained that Ramadan is the "best"
part of the year. He concluded with prayer to Allah to
support Islam and Muslims and humble non-belief and
unbelievers.


MEDINA: PRAYERS FORGIVEN ON NIGHT OF POWER


2. (C) Sheikh Ali Abd-al-Rahman al-Hudhayfi delivered the
sermon in Medina. He began by speaking about the
significance of the last ten nights of Ramadan. He cited the
prophet,s tradition that whoever prays on the Night of Power
will have all his sins forgiven. (Note: There seems to be
some debate regarding what actually occurs during the Night
of Power. In a previous sermon given by Sheikh Abd-al-Bari
bin-Awad al-Thubayti in Medina, the imam said that "all
prayers" would be answered. This may be a case of managing
expectations.)


PROPHET ATTACKED DUE TO ENVY, TYRANNY, AGGRESSION


3. (C) Al-Hudhayfi focused on the attacks on Prophet
Muhammad. He said that the "enemies of Islam and the enemies
of all messengers have attacked the holy person of our
Prophet Muhammad out of envy, tyranny, aggression, and
oppression." He continued, "They suspended their minds,
covered their eyes, and blocked their ears to the Koran, the
Hadith, the prophet,s ideal life, and the perfect Shari,a.
They fell in a deep precipice of falsehood. Had they viewed
the Koran, the Hadith, and the ideal life of the
prophet...they would have converted to Islam or stopped their
ridicule against the messengers of Allah."


PUNISH ENEMIES OF ISLAM


4. (C) The imam appealed to Muslims "upon this blessed month,
to sincerely pray to God against the enemies of Prophet
Muhammad." The sermon was concluded with prayers to Allah to
protect Muslims "from the evil of the enemies of Islam." He
asked Allah to "deal with those who attacked the Lord of
mankind...do not spare them...punish them
immediately...spread the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad
everywhere." The imam then prayed that Allah would preserve
the "blood, property, and honor" of Iraqis and Palestinians.


AL-KHOBAR: RAMADAN IS TIME FOR GOOD DEEDS


5. (C) Sheikh Mohammad al-Qahtani delivered the sermon at the
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal Mosque in al-Khobar on October 13. He
dedicated the sermon to repentance and encouraging Muslims to
take advantage of Ramadan to earn "good points" with Allah.
The imam described the advantages of Ramadan and included
that during this period of time "good deeds yield even better
dividends." Al-Qahtani encouraged his congregation to
increase their charity, worship, forgiveness, and help toward
the less fortunate, in order to reap Allah,s rewards. He
concluded with prayers.
TONEY