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

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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