RUSSIA AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD CONFERENCE IN JEDDAH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000466 SIPDIS RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2013 TAGS: ECON ETRD PGOV PREL RS SA SUBJECT: RUSSIA AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD CONFERENCE IN JEDDAH POINTS TO DEEPENING TIES, SETS STAGE FOR UN MEETING REF: A. RIYADH 01647 ¶B. RIYADH 01574 Classified By: ACTING CONSUL GENERAL G STONER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 1.(C) SUMMARY: A conference on Russia and the Islamic world held in Jeddah between October 27-29 focused on King Abdullah's initiative for interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The conference included high level government officials, many of whom spoke of the growing importance of Russia's relationship with the Islamic world. The conference laid some groundwork and support for the upcoming Saudi-led interfaith meeting at the UN on November 12-13, which will be attended by world leaders including President Bush. (REFTELS) END SUMMARY. STRENGTHENING RUSSIAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) At the invitation of the Saudi government, the Fourth Forum of Russia and the Islamic World, the Strategic Vision Group, was held in Jeddah between October 27-29. The theme was, "King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz: Initiative for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue: A New Vision for International Relations." The conference was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Islamic Affairs Department. The speakers included government officials from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and a few other Islamic countries, academics, and religious figures. One notable attendee was Reverend Vsevolod Chaplin, The Vice-Chairman of the International Department of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to media accounts, Chaplin was the first Russian Orthodox priest ever to visit the Kingdom. ¶3. (SBU) President of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiyev, delivered remarks from Russian President Dimitri Medvedev. In the statement, there was a call for the creation of a permanent body to be established as a forum for dialogue between religions. It was noted that Russia's great diversity and cultural history make it well-equipped to engage in a dialogue with the Islamic World. It went on to say that only dialogues between religions can prevent conflict and a clash of civilizations. Russia's role as an OIC observer was lauded for the role it plays in increasing cooperation. ¶4. (SBU) Prince Turki Bin Mohamed Bin Saud Al Kabeer, Deputy Minister for Multilateral Relations at the MFA made closing remarks. In his statement, Prince Turki commended Russian President Dimitri Medvedev for his role in encouraging dialogue between the Islamic world and Russia. He called for a renewal of dialogue with Russia, citing the need, "to promote Islamic-Russian dialogue in view of the great potential of these two civilizations and their contribution to the prosperity of mankind and to lay the groundwork for the required institutionalization of this dialogue." ¶5. (SBU) A Final Communiqu was issued. The communiqu lists thirteen recommendations adopted by the participants, among them: -The need to support cultural centers on both sides in order to create larger spaces for cultural exchange and cooperation and to increase rapprochement and mutual understanding between them. -To accelerate the process of developing a program for the exchange of visits between professors and academicians from both sides to conduct joint cultural and intellectual exchanges. SAUDI OFFICIALS PRAISE THE MERITS OF DIALOGUE -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowment, and Da'wa spoke on a session focusing on King Abdullah's initiative. The Sheikh emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge between groups by bringing together cultures and civilizations. To achieve this end, he called for the development of a strategic plan, and noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been undertaking this. JEDDAH 00000466 002 OF 002 ¶7. (SBU) Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, President of the Al-Shura Council claims that King Abdullah's initiative is broad and comprehensive and has the aim of insuring peaceful coexistence. He laid out a number of objectives for the initiative, among them: enlightening others about Islam, creating better coexistence, rejecting the idea of a clash of civilizations, eradicating Islamophobia, and ending any ill taking place in the name of religion. He stated that the idea of the dialogue is to make clear, "the unity of religion not the unity of religions", since all call for the worshipping of God. He said that the concept is based not on a political ideology, but on the need to consolidate cooperation. PREPARING FOR INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE MEETING IN NY -------------- --- ¶8. (C) Prince Turki did not repeat not comment on the upcoming inter-faith dialogue meeting in New York in his statement. However, he praised the overall initiative of King Abdullah and spoke of some of the results of such efforts: The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has stated that disputes and conflicts can only be settled through constructive dialogue, which translated into his initiative to settle the Arab-Israeli conflict." ¶9. (SBU) The final communiqu also addressed the upcoming interfaith meeting at the UN: -Welcome the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to hold a special high-level session on 12-13 November this year to present the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Initiative for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue. -Address a letter to the UN Secretary-General Supporting the King Abdullah Initiative for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue and endorsing the call for holding the UNGA special session. -Support the proposal by the Russian Federation to establish a consultative council on religions at the United Nations. ¶10. (C) POLOFF spoke with Dr. A. A. Al-Eryani, political advisor to the President of Yemen. Al-Eryani noted that he would be attending the inter-faith meeting in NY with the Yemeni President. When asked about the potential outcome of the meeting, he asserted that there would likely be "nothing material" to emerge. ¶11. (C) Dr. Sadaka Yehi Fadil, Member of the Al-Shura Council spoke with POLOFF about the initiative. He believes that after September 11th, the initiatives were a way to improve the face of Saudi Arabia overseas. He stressed the importance of cooperating with Russia since that country in his estimation is an emerging superpower. Fadil in turn called US policies dangerous and unjust. ¶12. (C) COMMENT. The conference held in Jeddah emphasized the strengthening ties between Russia and the Islamic World and Saudi Arabia in particular. There was considerable discussion of the importance Russia is playing as an OIC observer state and it clear that this role will only increase with the creation of a physical presence in Jeddah (REFTELS). Conference attendees used some opportunities to endorse the November inter-faith meeting, but mostly maintained the focus on the interfaith and dialogue process generally and Russian-Islamic relations more specifically. The inclusion of an orthodox Russian priest in the event might be a sign of additional openings for diverse inter-faith dialogues to occur within the Kingdom. It will be interesting to see whether the meeting at the UN formally supports the creation of a UN consultative body on religion as the Russians have proposed. The endorsement of cultural centers and exchange between the Islamic World and Russia raises the question of whether institutional bodies and Fulbright-like programs between the two regions are a possibility in the foreseeable future. END COMMENT. TONEY