EPRT: SUNNIS IN EAST BAGHDAD STRESS RECONCILIATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003660 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/04/2017 TAGS: PGOV PTER SOCI SCUL ECON IZ SUBJECT: EPRT: SUNNIS IN EAST BAGHDAD STRESS RECONCILIATION IN IFTAR CELEBRATIONS Classified By: EPRT Leader Eric Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is a Baghdad 2 BCT EPRT reporting cable. ¶2. (C) A series of six large iftar dinners hosted by Sunni mosques during October emphasized the theme of reconciliation. The dinners took place in the eastern Baghdad district of 9 Nissan. Almost 300 guests attended one of the dinners in the Zayuna neighborhood; EPRT members also attended and supported the event with Quick Reaction Funds (QRF). Shia and Christian residents of the neighborhood also participated, though Sunnis outnumbered them by a ratio of approximately four to one. Banners at the dinner read, "Ramadan is the Month of Love and Tolerance," in both English and Arabic. A local NGO, "Life Makers Society," greeted participants and handed out Arabic agendas and English messages of peace and unity. A local Imam and a member of the District Council addressed the gathering. They spoke of the need for cooperation within the neighborhood and brotherhood among Muslims, regardless of sectarian background. The Imam called upon Muslims to come back to their senses and end both violence and sectarianism. The District Council member said the community should be united; people in the neighborhood know each other, and are responsible for protecting each other. "Our community should be an example of tolerance and unity," he intoned. ¶3. (C) In another Sunni iftar dinner supported through QRF funds, EPRT members listened and engaged as approximately 250 participants from the Baladiat neighborhood of 9 Nissan district discussed contentious topics, including measures taken by Coalition Forces (CF) to assist the Palestinian community; the deterioration of relations between the Palestinians and the adjacent squatter community; the need for high-level political support for the reconciliation process; and progress on projects in the Palestinian community, which include a fence, water, healthcare, and trash removal projects. The Palestinians said that the community did not have a Neighborhood Council, and explained that they did not feel comfortable going to the District Council hall to request essential services. They also complained that Palestinians did not have identity cards. Moreover, the Palestinians said they were often blamed for other Arab issues, and that Iraqis did not understand their unique and harsh circumstances, even though they had supported each Iraqi government through the years. The iftar also included the participation of Shia and Christian residents, although their numbers appeared to be very limited. CROCKER