SAUDI SHI'A CELEBRATIONS A SUCCESS IN THE EP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001821 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON FOR TSOU; PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017 TAGS: KIRF PA PGOV PREL SA SUBJECT: SAUDI SHI'A CELEBRATIONS A SUCCESS IN THE EP Classified By: CONSUL GENERAL JOHN S. KINCANNON FOR REASONS 1.4(b) AND (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Two Consulate staff members traveled to the Saudi Shi'a stronghold of Qateef to observe local celebrations of the birthday of Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth or so-called "hidden Imam." (NOTE: Virtually all Saudi Shi'a in the Eastern Province are so called "Twelvers." END NOTE.) The Consulate staffers witnessed open public celebrations in several villages organized by local residents that were tolerated by local Saudi authorities. Although Saudi police were present, they appeared to be exercising appropriate crowd security functions and keeping a watchful eye out for "troublemakers" from outside the community. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On August 28, PAO and A/RSO Dhahran traveled to Qateef, the "capital" of Saudi Arabia's Shi'a community in the Eastern Province, to observe the festivities surrounding an important Shi'a holiday. The celebrations marked the birthday of the twelfth imam and is a venerated holy day for the Shi'a. This occasion is marked with street festivals and charitable giving to foster closer community ties. According to Shi'a beliefs, the Last Imam went into seclusion in 874 AD in Samarra, Iraq. Shi'a await the messianic return of this last Imam when he will bring justice and reward his true followers. The officially endorsed Wahhabi school of Islam considers such beliefs heretical. PAO and A/RSO traveled to Qateef to observe the state of religious freedom of the Shi'a and whether GSA security services where hindering or obstructing the celebrations. ¶3. (C) Although published figures are difficult to obtain, the Qateef area is a group of villages with a total approximate population of approximately 400,000 people, almost exclusively Shi'a. This oasis area marks the center of Shi'a life in Saudi Arabia and has been the site of previous altercations between the GSA and the Saudi Shi'a. PAO and A/RSO observed no peculiar or additional security vehicles or checkpoints beyond what is normally observed on these highways and roads. ¶4. (C) The first village explored was al-Aujam, a small village approximately 15 minutes from the main area in Qateef. Although small, the population of 6,000 people had decorated the main streets of the village with colorful lights and shrines. Despite the oppressive humidity and 100 degree plus temperatures, numerous residents were seen walking in the streets and participating in the celebrations. Several homes and buildings had erected public announcement systems and were broadcasting religious prayers or music by Iraqi and Saudi musicians. Post personnel were accompanied by a close Shi'a contact who guided them on their visit and discussed the history of celebrations in Qateef. The Contact explained how these celebrations were prohibited in the 1980s. It was not until the early 1990s that the Shi'a were allowed to hold such festivals in their villages. ¶5. (C) The next destination was a larger village in the oasis named al-Awamia. With a larger number of residents, the festivities in this area were more pronounced, with many more homes decorated with bright lights, similar to Christmas decorations in the United States. (COMMENT: Awamia enjoys a local reputation as the most militant Shi'a community in the Qateef oasis. END COMMENT). A popular tradition during this holiday is for children to go house to house and receive sweets from residents. This practice is very similar to the American Halloween holiday but without costumes. PAO observed large groups of children moving from home to home, with doors often left open and small children carrying large plastic bags brimming with candies. Near a major thoroughfare, traffic was congested as cars would stop at "citizen checkpoints." At these stops, the passengers in the cars would be given free food and drinks without charge. At another area, PAO, A/RSO, and post contact walked among the citizens of the village and observed a food stand area where children were entertained with puppet displays and people were served plates of food. Again, no money was exchanged and all the items appeared free. PAO inquired about who funded these celebrations, paid for the decorations, and purchased all the food that was distributed. Contact explained that the residents of each village fund raise among themselves. Each neighborhood is responsible for organizing the festivities in its area. According to the contact, no government funding for these celebrations is provided. Throughout this visit to Awamia, we observed no police or security presence. ¶6. (C) The final destination led us to the main area in the center village of Qateef. Although a police checkpoint was RIYADH 00001821 002 OF 002 observed on the road leading into the main area, cars were waived through relatively quickly by the police. Traffic was most pronounced in the main Qateef area as cars full of visitors, streamed into the main celebration area. PAO commented to the contact about the lack of government presence during the celebration. Our interlocutor stated that while the SAG allowed these celebrations to be held, if vendors began selling or distributing overtly Shi'a publications, taped prayers or other paraphernalia, they would be arrested. PAO did not observe any such stalls in the villages that were visited. During the tour, many Hussainiyyas were observed. These rooms serve as Shi'a religious gathering places. Many of these Hussainiyyas were equipped with stereos and public announcement systems broadcasting prayers or a lecture. Most appeared well attended and no incidents or disruptions were observed. ¶7. (C) While driving to the Qateef downtown, PAO observed small, intermittent fireworks from the side of the road. These appeared small and to have been launched from private residences. Here, the streets were again full of cars, lights and decorations, children and their parents. It appeared the celebrations were held without incident or restrictions. However, it did not appear there were any official government services or support for these celebrations. Many of the residents were volunteering to direct traffic on their streets, distributed free food at designated areas, and decorated their homes and streets through private effort. (APPROVED: KINCANNON) GFOELLER