Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JEDDAH107
2008-03-05 17:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA FEBRUARY 8, 15,

Tags:  PGOV SOCI KISL SA 
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P 051720Z MAR 08
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0584
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1689
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1766
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000107 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KISL SA
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA FEBRUARY 8, 15,
22: GRAND MUFTI, RAIN PRAYERS, AND EASTERN PROVINCE

REF: A. JEDDAH 469 B. RIYADH 233

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana C. Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000107

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KISL SA
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS FOR SAUDI ARABIA FEBRUARY 8, 15,
22: GRAND MUFTI, RAIN PRAYERS, AND EASTERN PROVINCE

REF: A. JEDDAH 469 B. RIYADH 233

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana C. Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Grand Mufti criticized on February 8 the
United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) report on
women's rights in Islam and Saudi Arabia, arguing that it was
"based on fallacies" and "unfair" (Reftel B). Throughout the
Kingdom, Imams conducted rain prayers against the drought,
which they alleged resulted from sin. In the Eastern
Province, Sheikh al-Munajjid and a substitute khateeb spoke
on the deterioration of "the social fabric," proper treatment
of the deceased and their belongings, and the importance of
good neighborly relations. (NOTE: The Open Source Center has
discontinued processing Friday Sermons from the Grand Mosques
in Mecca and Medina; Post has submitted a request that they
resume. However, as a result and until further notice, Post
will be unable to include them in the Mosque Sermons report.
END NOTE.) END SUMMARY.

--------------
GRAND MUFTI
--------------

UNHRC REPORT "BASED ON FALLACIES" AND "UNFAIR"


2. (U) Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al
Al-Sheikh criticized on February 8 a UNHRC report on women's
rights in Islam and Saudi Arabia. At the Riyadh Grand
Mosque, the Grand Mufti stated that the UN report was "based
on fallacies, errors and untrue information, which is
spiteful for our religion and country." Al-Sheikh claimed
that the report was "...unfair, particularly the call to end
patronage of fathers over their daughters - and labeling it
as disparaging to women and a repression of their freedom."


3. (U) Arguing that the system existed for the protection of
women, Grand Mufti Al-Sheikh further stated that to end such
a system would carry "...great injustice and enmity towards
God and Prophet Muhammad...." The Imam said that those who
"...demand that women be allowed to travel without a chaperon
or to marry without the approval of her guardian are only
seeking promiscuity and corruption...." He added: "There are

those who want to destroy the (Islamic) marriage system...and
for the Muslims (sic) to live like beasts, with men mixing
with women."

--------------
KINGDOM-WIDE
--------------

DROUGHT DUE TO SINFULNESS


4. (C) Imams conducted prayers on February 9 for rain and
attributed a lack of rain to "sinfulness." Grand Mosque of
Mecca Imam Sheikh al-Sudaiys stated that "Misfortune does not
befall (a country) unless sins have been committed there."
In Riyadh Grand Mufti Al-Sheikh performed rain prayers and
also alluded to sin as the cause of the recent dry weather.
(COMMENT: Imams often attribute irregular weather/natural
disasters to punishment from God, as was the case when an
Eastern Province Imam argued that the destruction from the
November 2007 fires in California should be a lesson that
"God's power is mighty." (Reftel A) END COMMENT.)

--------------
EASTERN PROVINCE
--------------

THE COUNTRY'S SOCIAL FABRIC IS DETERIORATING


5. (C) At the Omar bin Abd al-Aziz Grand Mosque on February
8, Sheikh Mohammad Saleh al-Munajjid argued that respect for
elders and loyalty had been replaced with insolence and
greed, adding that the country's social fabric had
deteriorated. He cited a general example in which women
marry men but do not thank them for their sacrifices -- such
as allowing women to complete their education -- and then
divorce their husbands due to the new-found social status
their education confers. To further prove his point, he
recounted a story in the press in which a highly-paid
American actress divorced her husband due to social

incompatibility.

PROPER TREATMENT OF THE DECEASED AND THEIR BELONGINGS


6. (C) Al-Munajjid on February 15 discussed the duties and
responsibilities of the faithful toward the dead, including
proper burial and funeral services. He deemed "un-Islamic"
customs he considered "pagan," such as wailing, excessive
crying, and beating one's chest. He then spoke on the
importance of ensuring that nothing improper exists among the
deceased's belongings. He characterized as "improper,"
video-audio materials and literature that include
"ungentlemanly and violence-inciting speeches," as well as
"pornographic materials."

GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO SURVIVAL


7. (C) A substitute khateeb in his February 23 sermon
discussed the importance of having good relations with one's
neighbors, stating that "good neighborly relations" were
essential to human survival." To support this claim he cited
examples from the Prophet Muhammad's life as well as quoted
the Angel Jibrail (Gabriel). He argued that the importance
of "good neighborly relations" was inevitable given how the
world has become a global village and nations/communities are
less isolated.
GFOELLER