KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - KUWAIT APPRECIATES THE US CONGRESS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001532 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/PI, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA, B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - KUWAIT APPRECIATES THE US CONGRESS RECOGNITION OF ISLAM AS A GLOBAL RELIGION, AND THE EMPIRE STATE LIGHTING WITH GREEN FOR THE ISLAMIC EID HOLIDAY Summary -------------- Over the Eid Al Fitr holiday - an Islamic religious holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims - several local Kuwaiti dailies published comments by prominent media business owners, columnists, and politicians thanking the US Congress for its acknowledgment of Islam as a global religion; in addition, the decision of the Empire State administration to light the building in green in recognition of the Eid Al Fitr holiday was also well received in the local media, and reported on by several columnists. Block Quotes -------------- Tuesday, October 16, 2007 -- Under the title "Islam's Adversity is with its Followers" liberal columnists Dr. Ahmed Al Baghdadi wrote in the pro-government Arabic daily Al Seyassah (10/15): "As a Muslim I extend my appreciation to the Europeans and Americans for the respect they have shown towards Islam and Muslims; this is not something new to these nations. After all, it was them who gave us the concept of a constitutional state, which guarantees the dignity of human beings, and it was them that established the education and judicial systems that fostered justice in our countries. However, despite all that I would tell the Europeans and Americans that Muslims will not cease to have hatred and animosity feelings towards you!" -- Headlined "Holiday Contemplation" Dr. Ahmed Yousef Al Deij wrote on the final page of the conservative Al Watan daily (10/14): "... Speaking of peace, which we wish to prosper over humanity, I was delighted to learn about the smart and meaningful gesture of the Empire State building administration, which did not cost much but yet had a great impact on Muslims and Arabs. During the Eid Holiday the Empire State building in New York was lit with green lights for the duration of the three-day Islamic Holiday of Eid Al Fitr. This was the first time since its establishment that this infamous monument has been lit with green in recognition of an Islamic Holiday..." On October 15, 2007 the newly opened Al Jarida daily newspaper reported that M.P. Muhammad Al Sager hailed the US Congress decision to recognize Islam as a global religion, and Ramadan as the holy month for Muslims. Al Sager was quoted in the Al Jarida daily (10/15): "This decision is the first of its kind in the history of the U.S. It is a delightful surprise for Muslims all over the world, and will help strengthen the strong ties among civilizations. The U.S. Congress decision is a proof that Islam is the religion of peace, love, grace; and one that promotes moderation, tolerance, and rejection of violence, in addition to its recognition of all other religions of the book." ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * MISENHEIMER