OMAN'S GRAND MUFTI SPEAKS TO SHIA, URGES UNITY

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000617 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (SSTEINGER) AND DRL (APINA) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM SCUL KIRF PGOV KISL MU SUBJECT: OMAN'S GRAND MUFTI SPEAKS TO SHIA, URGES UNITY ¶1. (U) Oman's top Ibadhi religious leader, Grand Mufti Shaykh Ahmed bin Hamad al-Khalili, addressed a capacity crowd of over 1300 people at Muscat's largest Shia mosque on April 15. Celebrating the recent birthday of the Prophet Muhammad but clearly having in mind the continuing sectarian violence in Iraq and elsewhere, al-Khalili's lecture, entitled "Unity of Muslims," urged Muslims "whose blood is being shed to come together and take the hatred and vengeance out of their hearts. Muslims have to be united, as Allah ordained." The Grand Mufti's brief address was followed by a second speaker, the Omani Shia cleric, Dr. Ihsan bin Sadiq al-Lawati. ¶2. (SBU) The rare multi-denominational event was largely organized by Shaykh Abd al-Hussain bin Baqr al-Lawati, one of the chief leaders of Oman's small but influential Shia community. (Note: While comprising less than about 5 percent of Oman's total population, the Shia community traces its roots to several other states and tends to divide itself along these lines of historic national origin. End note.) Six cabinet ministers and other senior government officials of varying confessional backgrounds attended the event. The capacity crowd appeared to be evenly divided between Shias and Ibadhis, while Sunnis were present in much smaller numbers. Despite a large media presence, there was only modest press coverage the following day. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: While there is little visible friction within or among Oman's three major Islamic sects, the Shia community is by far the smallest numerically and was grateful for the symbolic significance of the Grand Mufti's gesture of inclusion. Reflecting the Sultan's profound disapproval of sectarian strife and division, the Omani government continues to be proactive in preserving and strengthening social cohesion. GRAPPO