Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JEDDAH370
2008-09-01 12:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:
PRINCE KHALID DECREES CLOSE OF ALL SUMMER CAMPS IN
how-toVZCZCXRO2636 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHJI #0370 2451258 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 011258Z SEP 08 FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0888 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 8026
C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000370
SIPDIS
RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP;
DEPARTMENT FOR JLIEBERMAN IN DRL/NESCA; DEPARTMENT FOR
AGOMBIS IN DRL/IRF;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2013
TAGS: PGOV PROP PTER SOCI SCUL KISL KMDR KIRF PINS
KOCI, SA
SUBJECT: PRINCE KHALID DECREES CLOSE OF ALL SUMMER CAMPS IN
MECCA REGION AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN AGAINST EXTREMISM
Classified By: Acting Consul General G Stoner for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000370
SIPDIS
RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP;
DEPARTMENT FOR JLIEBERMAN IN DRL/NESCA; DEPARTMENT FOR
AGOMBIS IN DRL/IRF;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2013
TAGS: PGOV PROP PTER SOCI SCUL KISL KMDR KIRF PINS
KOCI, SA
SUBJECT: PRINCE KHALID DECREES CLOSE OF ALL SUMMER CAMPS IN
MECCA REGION AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN AGAINST EXTREMISM
Classified By: Acting Consul General G Stoner for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) SUMMARY. A blog recently revealed that Mecca region
governor Prince Khalid Al-Faisal is closing religious summer
camps for Saudi youth in the Mecca region. The particular
type of camps being shut and the extent to which this has
actually impacted operations is the subject of local debate.
Several local Jeddawi sources commented to PolOff about the
new policy and the rumors surrounding it. Indications are
that this is an attempt by the Prince to derail summer camps
breeding extremism and that a licensing process has been put
in place to insure that some camps continue to operate. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) A blogger on the conservative blog Al-Saha noted
surprise and questioned Prince Khalid,s decision to cancel
all religious summer camps in Jeddah and Mecca. The blogger
questioned why the camps have been shut down in this region,
while they remain operating throughout the rest of the
Kingdom. Additionally, the member of Al-Saha claims that the
camps are recreational and only promote good.
3. (C) After a meeting with PolOff, Nawaf Jamjoom, a Jeddawi
businessman with school- aged children, agreed to check with
his sources and then informed that "it is true that summer
camps have been cancelled" and further that, "these are pure
summer camps that setup tents or portable cabins on empty
lots." While not specifically mentioning any religious or
extremist aspect of the camps, Jamjoom hints at the cause of
Prince Khalid's decision noting that, "it is believed that
the main reason behind canceling them is because the lectures
are not monitored or approved by any entity."
4. (C) A local Shi'a Imam and religious leader, Mohamad Atia,
met with PolOff and offered his understanding of the closure
issue. He said that he heard about the ruling and it reflects
that "Prince Khalid is against religious things". He went on
to explain that the camps are usually religious and focused
on reciting Koran, some being good and others bad. He
admitted that "bad" camps often preach intolerance towards
other groups. He explained that, for example, some of these
camps might teach that, "America is your enemy". Atia heard
that there is a licensing process for camps and that the rule
is not being applied uniformly.
5. (C) PolOff met with Sami Nawar, a Jeddawi employee of the
Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and asked about the
reported closure of summer camps. Nawar paused, then laughed,
and commented that the Prince is very strict. He went on to
note that he had recently been in a meeting with Prince
Khalid. The Prince said they were shutting down all the camps
in order to prevent the growth of "fanatics". Nawar said that
there is now a registration process for camps and that they
must submit applications on time in order to open. Nawar was
not specific as to how the process works, but did say that
there are criteria in place.
6. (C) A local public high school teacher, Aiman Alharby met
with PolOff and noted that summer camps have all closed,
including both religious and non-religious camps. He went on
to say that he is aware of a licensing process in place
allowing limited camps to continue operating.
7. (C) COMMENT. The various accounts indicate that Prince
Khalid has attempted to close down extremist religious summer
camps in the Mecca province, particularly those that preach
hate to children. The measure, which is interpreted by some
locally as being heavy-handed, has not actually caused the
closure of all summer camps, but instead led to a process to
insure that those remaining opening meet certain criteria.
The set of criteria is likely designed to insure that the
camps are recreational in nature and if religiously based,
not extreme. It is not yet clear the extent to which the
policy is being enforced or what are the exact criteria and
structure of the licensing process. END COMMENT.
TONEY
SIPDIS
RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP;
DEPARTMENT FOR JLIEBERMAN IN DRL/NESCA; DEPARTMENT FOR
AGOMBIS IN DRL/IRF;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2013
TAGS: PGOV PROP PTER SOCI SCUL KISL KMDR KIRF PINS
KOCI, SA
SUBJECT: PRINCE KHALID DECREES CLOSE OF ALL SUMMER CAMPS IN
MECCA REGION AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN AGAINST EXTREMISM
Classified By: Acting Consul General G Stoner for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) SUMMARY. A blog recently revealed that Mecca region
governor Prince Khalid Al-Faisal is closing religious summer
camps for Saudi youth in the Mecca region. The particular
type of camps being shut and the extent to which this has
actually impacted operations is the subject of local debate.
Several local Jeddawi sources commented to PolOff about the
new policy and the rumors surrounding it. Indications are
that this is an attempt by the Prince to derail summer camps
breeding extremism and that a licensing process has been put
in place to insure that some camps continue to operate. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) A blogger on the conservative blog Al-Saha noted
surprise and questioned Prince Khalid,s decision to cancel
all religious summer camps in Jeddah and Mecca. The blogger
questioned why the camps have been shut down in this region,
while they remain operating throughout the rest of the
Kingdom. Additionally, the member of Al-Saha claims that the
camps are recreational and only promote good.
3. (C) After a meeting with PolOff, Nawaf Jamjoom, a Jeddawi
businessman with school- aged children, agreed to check with
his sources and then informed that "it is true that summer
camps have been cancelled" and further that, "these are pure
summer camps that setup tents or portable cabins on empty
lots." While not specifically mentioning any religious or
extremist aspect of the camps, Jamjoom hints at the cause of
Prince Khalid's decision noting that, "it is believed that
the main reason behind canceling them is because the lectures
are not monitored or approved by any entity."
4. (C) A local Shi'a Imam and religious leader, Mohamad Atia,
met with PolOff and offered his understanding of the closure
issue. He said that he heard about the ruling and it reflects
that "Prince Khalid is against religious things". He went on
to explain that the camps are usually religious and focused
on reciting Koran, some being good and others bad. He
admitted that "bad" camps often preach intolerance towards
other groups. He explained that, for example, some of these
camps might teach that, "America is your enemy". Atia heard
that there is a licensing process for camps and that the rule
is not being applied uniformly.
5. (C) PolOff met with Sami Nawar, a Jeddawi employee of the
Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and asked about the
reported closure of summer camps. Nawar paused, then laughed,
and commented that the Prince is very strict. He went on to
note that he had recently been in a meeting with Prince
Khalid. The Prince said they were shutting down all the camps
in order to prevent the growth of "fanatics". Nawar said that
there is now a registration process for camps and that they
must submit applications on time in order to open. Nawar was
not specific as to how the process works, but did say that
there are criteria in place.
6. (C) A local public high school teacher, Aiman Alharby met
with PolOff and noted that summer camps have all closed,
including both religious and non-religious camps. He went on
to say that he is aware of a licensing process in place
allowing limited camps to continue operating.
7. (C) COMMENT. The various accounts indicate that Prince
Khalid has attempted to close down extremist religious summer
camps in the Mecca province, particularly those that preach
hate to children. The measure, which is interpreted by some
locally as being heavy-handed, has not actually caused the
closure of all summer camps, but instead led to a process to
insure that those remaining opening meet certain criteria.
The set of criteria is likely designed to insure that the
camps are recreational in nature and if religiously based,
not extreme. It is not yet clear the extent to which the
policy is being enforced or what are the exact criteria and
structure of the licensing process. END COMMENT.
TONEY