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