Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANAA649
2007-04-16 12:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:  

NEW RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER FOCUSES ON DIALOGUE

Tags:  PREL PGOV YM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6636
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHYN #0649/01 1061226
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 161226Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANAA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6813
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000649 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV YM
SUBJECT: NEW RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER FOCUSES ON DIALOGUE
AND TOLERANCE

REF: 05 SANAA 3560

Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS C. KRAJESKI, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANAA 000649

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV YM
SUBJECT: NEW RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTER FOCUSES ON DIALOGUE
AND TOLERANCE

REF: 05 SANAA 3560

Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS C. KRAJESKI, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Newly appointed Minister of Awqaf (Endowment)
and Religious Guidance, Judge Hamoud al-Hitar, told
Ambassador on April 11 that he wants to institute a "national
strategy" for religious dialogue. Hitar offered suggestions
for further cooperation between post and the ministry,
including sending ministry officials on the International
Visitors program and instituting round-table discussions with
American Muslims. Hitar said that he is no longer involved
in any reconciliation efforts with the al-Houthi
insurrectionists in Saada, but expressed hope for a dialogue
with less extreme al-Houthis in the future. The Minister
also confirmed that he was not in any direct contact with the
returned Guantanamo detainees, but that he plans to initiate
a dialogue with them in the near future. END SUMMARY

Continued Cooperation
- - - - - - - - - - -


2. (C) The Ambassador opened the meeting by congratulating
the Minister on his new appointment and said it was a
positive sign for Yemen. The Minister explained that he
intends to use his new position to create a "national
strategy for guidance based on the Qur'an, Sunna, and
Constitution" to promote dialogue. His aims while at the
ministry are to "deepen unity," increase "loyalty to the
Ummah," and "promote tolerance." (NOTE: "Sunna" are the ways
and deeds of the Prophet Mohammed, used as an example to the
Muslim "Ummah," which is the community of Muslims around the
world. END NOTE)


3. (C) The Minister said he benefited greatly from a trip to
the United States in 2005 sponsored by the International
Visitor program on Inter-faith Dialogue. He explained to the
Ambassador that the religious coexistence in the United
States is an inspiration, and he aspires for the same in
Yemen. He also praised American patriotism, specifically
mentioning American Muslims, in that they label themselves as
American before all else. Ambassador said post would like to
send more individuals from the ministry on the same IV
program, and passed nomination forms to Hitar. The
Ambassador also suggested establishing dialogue between
American Muslim leaders and other religious groups with
Yemeni Muslims, by working with the Ministry. Hitar
expressed support for these ideas, and agreed that dialogue
would be mutually beneficial.

Saada
- - -


4. (C) Asked for his views on the conflict in Saada, the
Minister said he is not involved in any reconciliation
efforts with the al-Houthis, but expressed the possibility of
entering a dialogue with what he characterized as the "50
percent that have already accepted dialogue," as opposed to
the other half of al-Houthi followers he believes to be too
extreme. (NOTE: In the 2004 Saada uprising, the Minister
headed the Government Dialogue Committee and has been
personally affected by the conflict; his brother, Lt. Col.
al-Hitar, was killed in August 2004. END NOTE)

GTMO RETURNEES
- - - - - - - -


5. (C) Turning to the subject of the returned Yemeni
detainees from Guantanamo Bay, the Minister said that he does
not currently have a dialogue with them, but expressed the
desire for one. He explained that dialogue has a "positive
mental effect" on people, and that it gives them a chance to
diffuse their anger. The Minister said that the possibility
of opening a communication with the returnees is under
consideration within the government.

COMMENT
- - - -


6. (C) COMMENT: Judge Hitar's star continues to shine in
Yemen. As head of the Government's efforts to dialogue with
extremists in an effort to "de-program" them, Hitar earned a
reputation for being a straightforward religious scholar.
Using only the Qu'ran (and not alleged sayings of the Prophet
or the exegesis of other religious scholars),Hitar claimed
never to have lost a debate with an extremist, and says that
his program was "90 percent effective" in showing extremists

SANAA 00000649 002 OF 002


the "straight path" of tolerance and peace (reftel).
Observers differ on the effectiveness of Hitar's dialogue
program, but all agree that he is a fervent believer in
religious tolerance and moderation -- very welcome qualities
for a newly appointed Minister of Religious Affairs in Yemen.

KRAJESKI