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.

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
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Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
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LEBARON