Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH1414
2007-07-02 14:05:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
MIRA LEADER CITES RELIGIOUS DUTY AS REASON FOR SAG
how-toVZCZCXYZ0027 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHRH #1414 1831405 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 021405Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5904 INFO RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 8847
S E C R E T RIYADH 001414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA
SUBJECT: MIRA LEADER CITES RELIGIOUS DUTY AS REASON FOR SAG
OPPOSITION
REF: RIYADH 932
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
S E C R E T RIYADH 001414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA
SUBJECT: MIRA LEADER CITES RELIGIOUS DUTY AS REASON FOR SAG
OPPOSITION
REF: RIYADH 932
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: London-based Saudi extremist leader and
head of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA)
Sa'ad al-Faqih in continuing his public appeal for
Kingdom-wide support against the Saudi government (SAG). In
recent months, al-Faqih has attempted to utilize tribal ties
to rally support for his cause and call for protests inside
the Kingdom (reftel). However, in his May and June
television broadcasts on London-based television channel
Al-Islah, al-Faqih changed his approach, reverting to
religious arguments, commending the Commission for the
Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and claiming that
"opposition to the Saudi rule is a duty because they have
breached God's laws." Al-Faqih's new tactics, which have
flip-flopped several times in the past year, appear to be
indicative of a general lack of support for his efforts. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) London-based Saudi extremist leader and head of the
Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA) Sa'ad al-Faqih
called on his followers ("Islahists") to oppose the SAG,
claiming "opposition to the Saudi rulers is a duty because
they have breached God's laws." (Note: Al-Faqih has used
religion to call for opposition protests in the past. Most
notably, in an unsuccessful 2004 uprising attempt in a
central Riyadh mosque, al-Faqih called for stricter Islamic
institutions in the Kingdom. End Note.) In his May 21
broadcast, al-Faqih gave a lecture on "God's Universal Laws"
dealing with justice, security, stability, corruption, and
vice-- the key principles upon which MIRA opposes the SAG.
He stated that "breaching God's Universal Laws will bring
divine punishment upon people." He then told his fellow
Islahists that the SAG has breached these laws, and therefore
they must oppose the SAG.
3. (C) This religious call upon the Islahists was reinforced
during al-Faqih's May 26 broadcast in which he commended the
work of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice ("Commission"),despite recent media
criticism and public outcry against its excesses (septel).
Al-Faqih stated that the Commission made "great achievements
in combating crime, drugs, and spirits." However, he warned
his followers that the Commission is harmful to religion
because it is employed as a tool of the SAG, and is not a
true enforcer of the Islamic principle of censure.
4. (U) Al-Faqih also claimed that MIRA's support is finally
being demonstrated openly. In the past months, al-Faqih has
criticized his followers for not publicly supporting his
cause due to unfounded fears of persecution by the SAG.
Al-Faqih specifically commended the Islahists of Ha'il and
Al-Kharj for their public support and 'wide' attendance at
mosque gatherings. (Note: These cities are located in
northern Saudi Arabia in the same areas where his tribal base
has come from in the past. End Note.) As a 'reward' for
this behavior, al-Faqih granted the Islahists "respite" from
the gatherings; there are no more planned protests until July
20, when MIRA is planning region-wide gatherings in
opposition to the SAG.
5. (S) COMMENT: Although al-Faqih has managed to keep
himself and MIRA in the spotlight, his inability to maintain
direction or a concrete following is becoming increasingly
apparent. During March and April's broadcasts, he utilized
tribal leaders to support his cause in an attempt to
demonstrate his strength. However, only weeks later, he
reverted to religious arguments, possibly motivated by the
lack of response to his tribal rally in earlier months.
Based on this lack of focus, it is unlikely that MIRA's July
20 call for regional SAG opposition will have any traction
and could therefore put a stop to his renewed claims of
increasing support and calls for Kingdom-wide mosque
gatherings. END COMMENT.
FRAKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KISL SA
SUBJECT: MIRA LEADER CITES RELIGIOUS DUTY AS REASON FOR SAG
OPPOSITION
REF: RIYADH 932
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (S) SUMMARY: London-based Saudi extremist leader and
head of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA)
Sa'ad al-Faqih in continuing his public appeal for
Kingdom-wide support against the Saudi government (SAG). In
recent months, al-Faqih has attempted to utilize tribal ties
to rally support for his cause and call for protests inside
the Kingdom (reftel). However, in his May and June
television broadcasts on London-based television channel
Al-Islah, al-Faqih changed his approach, reverting to
religious arguments, commending the Commission for the
Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and claiming that
"opposition to the Saudi rule is a duty because they have
breached God's laws." Al-Faqih's new tactics, which have
flip-flopped several times in the past year, appear to be
indicative of a general lack of support for his efforts. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) London-based Saudi extremist leader and head of the
Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA) Sa'ad al-Faqih
called on his followers ("Islahists") to oppose the SAG,
claiming "opposition to the Saudi rulers is a duty because
they have breached God's laws." (Note: Al-Faqih has used
religion to call for opposition protests in the past. Most
notably, in an unsuccessful 2004 uprising attempt in a
central Riyadh mosque, al-Faqih called for stricter Islamic
institutions in the Kingdom. End Note.) In his May 21
broadcast, al-Faqih gave a lecture on "God's Universal Laws"
dealing with justice, security, stability, corruption, and
vice-- the key principles upon which MIRA opposes the SAG.
He stated that "breaching God's Universal Laws will bring
divine punishment upon people." He then told his fellow
Islahists that the SAG has breached these laws, and therefore
they must oppose the SAG.
3. (C) This religious call upon the Islahists was reinforced
during al-Faqih's May 26 broadcast in which he commended the
work of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and
Prevention of Vice ("Commission"),despite recent media
criticism and public outcry against its excesses (septel).
Al-Faqih stated that the Commission made "great achievements
in combating crime, drugs, and spirits." However, he warned
his followers that the Commission is harmful to religion
because it is employed as a tool of the SAG, and is not a
true enforcer of the Islamic principle of censure.
4. (U) Al-Faqih also claimed that MIRA's support is finally
being demonstrated openly. In the past months, al-Faqih has
criticized his followers for not publicly supporting his
cause due to unfounded fears of persecution by the SAG.
Al-Faqih specifically commended the Islahists of Ha'il and
Al-Kharj for their public support and 'wide' attendance at
mosque gatherings. (Note: These cities are located in
northern Saudi Arabia in the same areas where his tribal base
has come from in the past. End Note.) As a 'reward' for
this behavior, al-Faqih granted the Islahists "respite" from
the gatherings; there are no more planned protests until July
20, when MIRA is planning region-wide gatherings in
opposition to the SAG.
5. (S) COMMENT: Although al-Faqih has managed to keep
himself and MIRA in the spotlight, his inability to maintain
direction or a concrete following is becoming increasingly
apparent. During March and April's broadcasts, he utilized
tribal leaders to support his cause in an attempt to
demonstrate his strength. However, only weeks later, he
reverted to religious arguments, possibly motivated by the
lack of response to his tribal rally in earlier months.
Based on this lack of focus, it is unlikely that MIRA's July
20 call for regional SAG opposition will have any traction
and could therefore put a stop to his renewed claims of
increasing support and calls for Kingdom-wide mosque
gatherings. END COMMENT.
FRAKER