MINISTRY OF AWQAF AND ISLAMIC AFFAIRS LAUNCHES

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000882 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR NEA/ARP AND S/CT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PGOV KISL KU SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF AWQAF AND ISLAMIC AFFAIRS LAUNCHES 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN REF: KUWAIT 464 ¶1. In a March 11 press conference, Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Undersecretary Dr. Adel Al-Falah announced the March 14 launch of the Ministry's strategic plan for the period 2006-2011. He explained that the plan is based on seven overriding themes: -- "The consideration that development is an Islamic must" which the Ministry defines as good citizenship and respect for others. -- "The consideration that religious guidance is the essential function of the Ministry" which gives Awqaf authority over preaching and religious guidance to ensure that practices and teachings do not contradict Islamic law. -- "Reinforcing the moderation of Islam as both a motto and practice." -- "Dealing with the role of women in the Kuwaiti Society from the developmental aspect" which asserts the need for distinguishing between what religious teachings say about women, what culture and tradition dictate, and the actual role women play. -- "Tackling the phenomenon of various centers of Ifta (religious advice) and jurisprudence guidance" which will set guidelines for how information is provided and whom is authorized to disperse it. -- "The consideration that Shura (consultation) and the respect of the constitution are the essential pillars of Kuwaiti regime adopted by our religion." -- "Reinforcing Organizational Practice" which addresses staffing and professional qualifications. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: The five-year strategic plan has been hailed by GOK leaders as a means to promote moderation and impose more Government control on the religious community. The English version of the plan is full of strategic planning buzz words such as "vision," "lines of business," and "goals and indicators," but is devoid of any real substance. Success is measured by the number of outreach sessions held, meetings with charitable organizations, and studies concluded and published. Nonetheless, the plan represents a step forward in GOK efforts to establish the Awqaf Ministry as the focal point for religious guidance and education. As part of this effort, Awqaf has hired outspoken and often controversial Kuwait Times columnist Muna Al-Fuzai as a media consultant who has organized the Ministry's first outreach event: a March 22 screening of a GOK-produced, 50-minute documentary film in English on Islam. The diplomatic community has been invited to the screening and subsequent discussion. End comment. ********************************************* * 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