Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD2468
2007-06-04 13:46:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

IMAM OF THE KAABA CONDEMNS THE RED MOSQUE'S

Tags:  PREL PTER PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 041346Z JUN 07
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002468 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: IMAM OF THE KAABA CONDEMNS THE RED MOSQUE'S
LEADERSHIP

REF: A. ISLAMABAD 2334

B. ISLAMABAD 2270

C. ISLAMABAD 1846

D. ISLAMABAD 1688

E. ISLAMABAD 1647

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 002468

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: IMAM OF THE KAABA CONDEMNS THE RED MOSQUE'S
LEADERSHIP

REF: A. ISLAMABAD 2334

B. ISLAMABAD 2270

C. ISLAMABAD 1846

D. ISLAMABAD 1688

E. ISLAMABAD 1647

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Peter W. Bodde, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Background: Reftels describe the situation at
Islamabad's Red Mosque, where two imams have for several
months been encouraging male and female madrassah students to
engage in vigilante justice. The situation at the women's
madrassah, which is located in the heart of Islamabad and is
home to between 2,000 and 3,000 girls and women, has gained
particularly profuse media attention. Reftels are being
retransmitted to addressees not previously on distribution.
End Background.


2. (C) On June 2, the Imam of the Kaaba Shaikh Abdur Rehman
al-Sudais publicly appealed to the Red Mosque administration
to cease illegal tactics. The remarks were made in Islamabad
during the Imam's six-day tour of Pakistan. (Note: The Imam
is the prayer leader at the holiest site in Islam, the Kaaba.
End Note.)


2. (C) The Imam stressed that Islam does not allow mosques to
be used for grandstanding. He characterized the Red Mosque's
activities as leading to chaos and anarchy. The Imam stressed
that the Red Mosque leadership should peacefully resolve
grievances with the government, with city officials, and with
religious scholars. He also condemned the Red Mosque brigade
for using women and children in its actions.


3. (C) Both in his public statements and his well-attended
Friday khutba (sermon) at Islamabad's huge Faisal Mosque,
Shaikh al-Sudais called on the Muslim world to unite in
eschewing extremism, sectarianism, and violence. He
emphasized the Islamic principles of brotherhood, compassion,
and consideration for others.


4. (C) In response, the Red Mosque leadership invited the
Imam to visit their mosque and see their "realities". They
claimed the government had misled him about their activities.
Red Mosque leader Maulana Abdul Aziz also declared that the
Imam was Amir-ul-Mumineen (leader of the faithful) and should
replace President Musharraf. Shaikh al-Sudais did not visit
the Red Mosque or meet with its leaders.


5. (C) Comment: President Musharraf and his advisors have
a long-term strategy of turning public opinion against the
Red Mosque's leaders and thus putting pressure on the Mosque
to reform. The Imam-e-Kaaba's comments about the mosque
appear to be part of Musharraf's plan to pressure the mosque
to reform. Indeed, we note that Pakistan Muslim League
President Chaudhray Hussain Shujaat, the architect of the Red
Mosque strategy, served as the Imam's host for much of the
visit. End Comment


BODDE