CREDIBLE MUSLIM VOICES IN JORDAN

S E C R E T AMMAN 003797 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2017 TAGS: KPAO KISL JO SUBJECT: CREDIBLE MUSLIM VOICES IN JORDAN REF: SECSTATE 122288 Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Per reftel, the Embassy has identified the persons listed in paragraph 2 as credible Muslim voices. While the persons identified in this message would not approve of all or even many U.S. foreign policies, they do share a general position that terrorism and violent extremism are contrary to Islamic law and tradition. The Embassy understands that any potential interaction that might be conducted with the below-listed individuals will be done through the Embassy or in close consultation with the Embassy. ¶2. (S) The following persons fit the description of credible Muslim voices found in reftel: a. Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Musa al-Naser, is an Imam, Khatib (Friday Preacher) and lecturer who preaches at a mosque near the Embassy. He is a conservative Salafi Sunni religious scholar who has a wide following among Salafi Muslims in Jordan and internationally. That said, he preaches actively against terrorism in the name of Islam. He argues, using traditional Islamic sources and citing traditional Salafi scholars, that terrorism or extremist violence is prohibited by Islam and that Islam requires loyalty to the government as the source of law and order. He has a web site ( www.m-alnaser.com ) and his Friday sermons and other works, including articles, book excerpts and other writings, are posted there. He is an active conservative Islamic religious scholar with a following who, seemingly of his own initiative, confronts and argues against those who use Islam to justify acts of terrorism. His positions on other matters are not known to us, though they are likely to be in line with a Salafi interpretation of Islam. He applied for a U.S. visa in June 2007 and his application is pending an SAO as of the end of August. b. Dr. Amjab Qoursheh is a professor in the Department of Foundations of Religion, Faculty of Shari'a at Jordan University. He earned a Ph.D. from Birmingham University, UK in comparative religions and Christian-Muslim relations. He currently teaches courses on comparative religions, Islamic faith and Islamic culture (in both Arabic and English). His influence stems from his hosting two radio programs and one TV program on social issues as interpreted through an Islamic perspective. In addition, he is often asked to be a guest on other TV and radio programs. c. Senator Nawal Al Fa'ouri is a women's rights activist, member of the moderate Islamist party al-Wasat, and former member of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) party, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. NOTE: Many of al-Wasat's members broke away from the IAF after they deemed the latter too radical. END NOTE. She has appeared as a guest on many TV programs, and was the leading advocate in a national campaign called, "Accomplishments, Not Wishes," to raise awareness of women's rights issues. She is well-versed in Islamic texts. d. Dr. Mohammed Al Qudah is a professor at the Faculty of Shari'a and Islamic Studies, Department of Jurisprudence, at the University of Jordan. He lectures on Islamic Fiqh (jurisprudence) and he is specialized in comparative jurisprudence. He is frequently a guest on radio and TV programs during Ramadan to discuss religious topics. e. Dr. Hamdi Murad is a member of the Jordan Interfaith Coexistence Research Center and Professor of Islamic Sciences, Balqa Applied University. He is a well-known speaker on issues related to interfaith tolerance and coexistence. He presented a TV program last year during Ramadan in which viewers called in to ask for religious advice on various social topics. f. Samih Al-Ma'aitah is a daily columnist in Al-Ghad newspaper who primarily focuses on local issues. He is a former Muslim Brotherhood activist and is currently known as a moderate Islamist. Before joining Al-Ghad, Al-Ma'aitah was a columnist and editor in Al-Arab Al-Yawm newspaper and Chief Editor of Al-Sabeel weekly, the mouthpiece of the Islamic Action Front. He has in the past hosted a talk show on Jordan TV focusing on local issues. A participant in an International Visitor program in 1996, he is today quite critical of U.S. positions regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Iraq. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ Hale