Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RIYADH499
2007-03-12 09:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
MINIMAL CONTROVERSY REIGNS AT RIYADH BOOK FAIR
how-toVZCZCXRO2303 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHRH #0499 0710927 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 120927Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4646 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 8445 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000499
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL SA
SUBJECT: MINIMAL CONTROVERSY REIGNS AT RIYADH BOOK FAIR
REF: 2006 RIYADH 7447
Classified By: Political Counselor David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000499
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL SA
SUBJECT: MINIMAL CONTROVERSY REIGNS AT RIYADH BOOK FAIR
REF: 2006 RIYADH 7447
Classified By: Political Counselor David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Culture and Information held its
third annual book fair in Riyadh March 2 to March 9. Over
400 vendors had their publications available for sale, and
topics included children's literature, history, fiction, and
religion. The book fair had family hours each morning,
abandoning its traditional posture as a "male only" event.
However, when PolOff visited during a "male only" time, there
were families present and no religious police appeared to be
present. The fair opened with an inaugural ceremony and
speeches by leaders in the Ministry of Culture and
Information, the Ministry of Education, and the United
Nations. Many Saudi authors -- both male and female --
staged themselves for the duration of the event in one of the
tents in order to be available for periodic book signings and
readings.
2. (C) Last year, the fair sparked considerable controversy
when the novel "Girls of Riyadh," which was published
September 2005 in Lebanon, was featured. Many religious
conservatives criticized the book -- and later sued the
author in the Court of Grievances -- saying that it promoted
immoral behavior among women. The Ministry of Culture drew
significant criticism for allowing the fair to showcase the
book, but defended that decision on the basis that the novel
exemplified the talent among female Saudi authors and did not
violate any laws (reftel).
3. (C) An official from the Ministry of Culture told PolOff
on March 4 that in order to avoid similar controversy while
displaying even more books than last year -- including the
"Girls of Riyadh" -- the Minister of Culture engaged in a
robust public relations campaign prior to the launch of the
book fair. He said that Minister Iyad bin Ameen Madani gave
many media interviews stating that the purpose of the book
fair was to promote culture, education, and the arts in Saudi
Arabia. Madani also conveyed that if there was disagreement
with the book choices made by the Ministry of Culture and
Information, individuals should register their complaints
with the Ministry directly. The official further told PolOff
that all books are reviewed and approved by a committee in
the Ministry of Culture before being displayed at the book
fair. He said that the only books banned from the book fair
were those containing pictures that could be perceived as
'pornographic' and any books criticizing King Abdullah and
the ruling Al Saud family. He did say, however, that
publications criticizing the ministries, including the
Ministry of Culture, were permissible. When asked about hate
speech and violence, the official stated that, to date, there
are no specific regulations about banning such references.
He said that "if books are published about Islam, then by
their very nature, they preach peace and tolerance, not
intolerance and hate."
4. (U) Overall, the book fair received positive publicity in
the media and there were no reported incidents at the event
itself. However, eighteen self-proclaimed religious scholars
issued a statement on March 5 on the conservative Internet
website Noor al-Islam criticizing the books displayed at the
fair. According to their statement, the books were
blasphemous and were not cleared by the Ministry of Culture
and Information because they were printed abroad. (Note:
According to a statement by the Ministry of Culture after the
book fair, it was possible that some books might have been on
display illegally. The Ministry promised to ensure that this
does not happen next year. However, the Ministry clears all
books officially on display irrespective of where they were
printed or published. End Note.) The signatories are not
known scholars, and they did not submit this statement
directly to the Ministry.
5. (C) COMMENT: The increased presence of families at the
book fair and the reissuance of the "Girls of Riyadh" novel
are indicators of the slow but continuing trend to challenge
the religious conservatives in the Kingdom. Especially
notable was the lack of controversy in the media -- a forum
ripe for robust debate, especially on such 'soft' topics.
The success of these small steps pave the way for larger
reform efforts that are part of King Abdullah,s agenda. END
COMMENT.
OBERWETTER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/11/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL SA
SUBJECT: MINIMAL CONTROVERSY REIGNS AT RIYADH BOOK FAIR
REF: 2006 RIYADH 7447
Classified By: Political Counselor David Rundell
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (SBU) The Ministry of Culture and Information held its
third annual book fair in Riyadh March 2 to March 9. Over
400 vendors had their publications available for sale, and
topics included children's literature, history, fiction, and
religion. The book fair had family hours each morning,
abandoning its traditional posture as a "male only" event.
However, when PolOff visited during a "male only" time, there
were families present and no religious police appeared to be
present. The fair opened with an inaugural ceremony and
speeches by leaders in the Ministry of Culture and
Information, the Ministry of Education, and the United
Nations. Many Saudi authors -- both male and female --
staged themselves for the duration of the event in one of the
tents in order to be available for periodic book signings and
readings.
2. (C) Last year, the fair sparked considerable controversy
when the novel "Girls of Riyadh," which was published
September 2005 in Lebanon, was featured. Many religious
conservatives criticized the book -- and later sued the
author in the Court of Grievances -- saying that it promoted
immoral behavior among women. The Ministry of Culture drew
significant criticism for allowing the fair to showcase the
book, but defended that decision on the basis that the novel
exemplified the talent among female Saudi authors and did not
violate any laws (reftel).
3. (C) An official from the Ministry of Culture told PolOff
on March 4 that in order to avoid similar controversy while
displaying even more books than last year -- including the
"Girls of Riyadh" -- the Minister of Culture engaged in a
robust public relations campaign prior to the launch of the
book fair. He said that Minister Iyad bin Ameen Madani gave
many media interviews stating that the purpose of the book
fair was to promote culture, education, and the arts in Saudi
Arabia. Madani also conveyed that if there was disagreement
with the book choices made by the Ministry of Culture and
Information, individuals should register their complaints
with the Ministry directly. The official further told PolOff
that all books are reviewed and approved by a committee in
the Ministry of Culture before being displayed at the book
fair. He said that the only books banned from the book fair
were those containing pictures that could be perceived as
'pornographic' and any books criticizing King Abdullah and
the ruling Al Saud family. He did say, however, that
publications criticizing the ministries, including the
Ministry of Culture, were permissible. When asked about hate
speech and violence, the official stated that, to date, there
are no specific regulations about banning such references.
He said that "if books are published about Islam, then by
their very nature, they preach peace and tolerance, not
intolerance and hate."
4. (U) Overall, the book fair received positive publicity in
the media and there were no reported incidents at the event
itself. However, eighteen self-proclaimed religious scholars
issued a statement on March 5 on the conservative Internet
website Noor al-Islam criticizing the books displayed at the
fair. According to their statement, the books were
blasphemous and were not cleared by the Ministry of Culture
and Information because they were printed abroad. (Note:
According to a statement by the Ministry of Culture after the
book fair, it was possible that some books might have been on
display illegally. The Ministry promised to ensure that this
does not happen next year. However, the Ministry clears all
books officially on display irrespective of where they were
printed or published. End Note.) The signatories are not
known scholars, and they did not submit this statement
directly to the Ministry.
5. (C) COMMENT: The increased presence of families at the
book fair and the reissuance of the "Girls of Riyadh" novel
are indicators of the slow but continuing trend to challenge
the religious conservatives in the Kingdom. Especially
notable was the lack of controversy in the media -- a forum
ripe for robust debate, especially on such 'soft' topics.
The success of these small steps pave the way for larger
reform efforts that are part of King Abdullah,s agenda. END
COMMENT.
OBERWETTER