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.

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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
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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
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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

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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