OSH TRIP: IFTAR MEETING REVEALS WORRIES ABOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000966 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/24/2018 TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL KIRF KG SUBJECT: OSH TRIP: IFTAR MEETING REVEALS WORRIES ABOUT SAUDI MONEY AND INTEREST IN VISITING THE U.S. BISHKEK 00000966 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Classified By: Amb. Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: As part of her trip to the southern city of Osh during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner for religious and civic leaders on September 16. The evening was intended to introduce her to the Muslim community in the south, though secular leaders and representatives of other religions were also invited. There were some tensions between local male and female participants, but the group seemed to embrace and confide in the Ambassador. They expressed concern both about the secular government, and the influx to Kyrgyzstan of Gulf money and interpretations of Islam. End Summary. Southern Iftar -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador gathered approximately thirty religious and civic leaders for an Iftar dinner during her visit to Osh. The colorfully-dressed group included the Kazy of Osh city and the Kazys of surrounding oblasts, along with the deputy mayor of Osh and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Osh. Assisted by Embassy travel grants, some of the participants traveled several hours to attend the dinner. While all the participants initially sat together at the same table, after the gender-segregated prayers, a group of men occupied the seats reserved for the female guests and refused to move. The six female participants were forced to sit at a separate table for the rest of the dinner. ¶3. (C) The core group of male religious leaders seemed comfortable with each other and welcoming of the Ambassador. They expressed admiration for FORMER Ambassador Yovanovitch, but were especially impressed by Ambassador Gfoeller's ability to speak Arabic. The various Kazys took turns toasting the Ambassador and their relationship with America. Several members of the group approached Emboffs to ask about programs to visit the United States. Bracing for the Winter -------------- ¶4. (C) Two Batken religious figures spoke of the continued difficulties faced by citizens in their oblast. Imam Makhamatkarim Matmuratov of Leilak Rayon expressed growing concern that this winter's expected energy and food shortages will impact Batken Oblast more than any other region, due to a dilapidated infrastructure, severe unemployment, and the "usual lack of support from Bishkek." He continued by saying that they will encourage the mosque community to support those facing the most severe hardships. Batken Oblast Kazy Sultan Gaffurov interjected that few people in the region have the extra resources to help their neighbors. He said that the upside to the energy crisis is that many in the smaller towns and villages heat their homes with coal or dung, and the loss of electricity will not affect their ability to stay warm this winter. Concerns about Saudi Influence -------------- ¶5. (C) Osh city Kazy Rahmattullo Kasymov engaged the Ambassador in Arabic, perhaps so that other imams would not understand him, to express his concern about the influence of Persian Gulf countries on southern Kyrgyzstan. He said that the Saudis are pouring money into the construction of new mosques, but also into new hospitals. However, the form of Islam the Saudis teach is being rejected by the Kyrgyz people, according to Rahmattullo. He said that the Kyrgyz resent the way the Saudis talk down to them and have started to use the term Wahhabi as an insult among themselves. Rahmattullo added that he appreciates the U.S. sending a BISHKEK 00000966 002.2 OF 002 female Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan. ¶6. (C) Rahmattullo, who seemed to get on well with both the Orthodox priest and the deputy mayor, has a diverse background and a talent for socializing. He studied theology in Iran and speaks Farsi, but has traveled to Saudi Arabia many times. He was also trained as a diplomat and participated in the Soviet Union's outreach programs. Rahmattullo has been to the U.S. on exchange programs and has reaffirmed a personal belief in the freedom of religion. Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) The dinner and the Ambassador's Arabic language made a positive impression on the assembled religious leaders from Kyrgyzstan's south. The participants did not display any signs of anti-Americanism, and even praised American Muslims in their toasts. The group clearly has things to worry about, ranging from frustrations with the competence of the government to competition from wealthy Saudis, but they seemed comfortable overall with their power in the south. They believe they have legitimacy among the people, but are able to maintain cordial relations with the government at the same time. GFOELLER