KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - POPE'S COMMENTS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 003727 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/PI, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA LONDON FOR TSOU PARIS FOR ZEYA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - POPE'S COMMENTS Block Quotes -------------- Sunday, September 17, 2006 -- -- Editor-in-chief of the pro-government Arabic daily Al-Seyassah Ahmed Al-Jarallah penned on the front page a piece titled "A Dangerous Papal Error" (9/17): "We do not believe we want to ignite a fire between people of various religions and sects. We care for what keeps us united as believers. Almighty Allah created the universe and we should not concentrate on our difference with others, especially as Islam teaches us to coexist with people of other faith in harmony and provide them with security." -- Salafi Dr. Wael Al-Hasawi inquired in moderate Arabic daily Al-Rai Al-Aam under the title "Is This the Moderation the Pope Promised Us?" (9/17): "Our question to the Pope is, if Islam was spread by the edge of the sword, then why is it that people over whom Muslims ruled converted and adhere to Islam until this today and spread the religion among other people?" -- "Will Secularists Attack the Pope's Statement?" was the title of Ahmed Mohamed Al-Fahd's piece in moderate Arabic daily Al-Watan in which he contended (9/17): "Of course no secularist will write a single article defending the prophet, peace be upon him. I bet that none of them will write even a small article attacking the pope for what he said or even point out his mistake. This is because His Holiness, to them, can do no wrong." ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LEBARON