Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIYADH1197
2008-08-05 10:03:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

RADICAL SHI'A CLERIC SUPPORTS IRAN, WARNS OF

Tags:  KIRF KISL PINR PREL PTER SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3459
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV
DE RUEHRH #1197/01 2181003
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 051003Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8914
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 RIYADH 001197 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ARP, INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: KIRF KISL PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: RADICAL SHI'A CLERIC SUPPORTS IRAN, WARNS OF
CLASHES (C-CT7-00989)

REF: A. 08 RIYADH 371

B. 06 RIYADH 3720

C. 08 RIYADH 1170

Classified By: CG JOHN KINCANNON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 RIYADH 001197

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR ARP, INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: KIRF KISL PINR PREL PTER SA
SUBJECT: RADICAL SHI'A CLERIC SUPPORTS IRAN, WARNS OF
CLASHES (C-CT7-00989)

REF: A. 08 RIYADH 371

B. 06 RIYADH 3720

C. 08 RIYADH 1170

Classified By: CG JOHN KINCANNON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, a Shi'a sheikh
in Qatif, Saudi Arabia has once again caused controversy with
his radical statements supporting Iran and challenging Saudi
authority. In a July 11, 2008 sermon al-Nimr defended Iran's
right to respond to "American aggression" and stated that
"people of faith stand with Iran heart and soul." Al-Nimr
also called on Iran to give assurances that it will safeguard
"our vital interests." In a July 22 interview with
IslamOnline, al-Nimr further stated that he had resubmitted a
petition to the SAG calling for the government to take
various steps to empower and recognize Saudi Arabia's Shi'a
population. Al-Nimr ominously warned that clashes might
ensue between Saudi Shi'a and the authorities if these
demands are not met. The always controversial sheikh last
made waves during Ashura celebrations in January 2008, when
he called for the formation of a "Righteous Opposition Front"
that would fight those who prevent Shi'a from practicing
their faith. Though post contacts report al-Nimr's latest
public statements represent the thinking of only a small
minority of Shi'a, there is concern that his words undermine
King Abdullah's efforts to promote tolerant dialogue and give
ammunition to the many Saudis already suspicious Shi'ism. END
SUMMARY.

--------------
"STAND WITH IRAN"
--------------


2. (S/NF) On July 11, controversial Shi'a sheikh Nimr Baqr
al-Nimr of the Awamiyya neighborhood of Qatif delivered a
sermon over two-hours in length in which he defended Iran's
right to develop nuclear capabilities, complimented the
Iranian people and government on their piety, and asked Iran
to give assurances that it will safeguard the vital interests
of people in neighboring nations. Sheikh al-Nimr also made
various anti-American references, claiming that America
"wants to humiliate the world." In the case of America

striking Iran, al-Nimr stated that "Iran has the right to
close the Straits of Hormuz, to destroy the Zionist enemy,
and to strike at American bases and American interests
anywhere." While claiming to be wholeheartedly with Iran,
al-Nimr did add that "we do not accept Iran's actions if it
attacks our vital interests or when it becomes a suspect in a
similar escalation and thus gives America an excuse and aids
the hypocrites." In an attempt to move his support of Iran
away from a purely political context, al-Nimr added that "our
defense is not of Iran the state, but of divine values, it is
a defense of the right."

-------------- --
CLASHES AND THE RIGHT TO UTILIZE FOREIGN POWERS
-------------- --


3. (S/NF) The sheikh continued the tough talk in a July 22
interview with website IslamOnline.net. In the intQ
Al-Nimr said in that he had resubmitted a petition - he
claims that he previously submitted the petition to Eastern
Province Deputy Emir Prince Jiluwi in January 2008 - to the
SAG calling for permission to form a council of Shi'a ulema
that will be called the Council of Ahl al-Bayt Scholars
(Majlis Fuqaha Ahl al-Bayt). Al-Nimr stated that this
council should be comprised of high-ranking religious
leaders, so that the Shari'ah needs of the local community
can be resolved without foreign interference. Additionally,
the sheikh asked for constitutional recognition of the Shi'a
creed, and for abolition of all laws and regulations against
Shi'a. The sheikh specifically cited issues such as
permission to build hawzas, hussaiynias, religious colleges,
centers and institutions; creation of a unified religious
curriculum, or permitting a Shi'a curriculum in predominantly
Shi'a areas; independence of the Jaafari court and a widening
of the court's powers; and, resolution of what the Sheikh
termed "actual discrimination," for example, the lack of
Shi'a in the Council of Ministers, diplomatic corps, Shura
Council and other governing institutions.


4. (S/NF) The requests included in al-Nimr's July 22
interview were not particularly exceptional and closely
resemble oft-heard community concerns. In late June, Shi'a

RIYADH 00001197 002 OF 003


leader Sheikh Hassan al-Saffar - the only Saudi Shi'a to
participate in the Madrid Conference for Interfaith Dialogue
- made a similar call for the establishment of an institution
for Shi'a religious authority in Saudi Arabia, so as to
prevent an influx of views from "outside the homeland." The
controversial aspect of al-Nimr's July 22 statements were his
warning that if the requests are not met, clashes will ensue.
He added that in such an event, the Saudi Shi'a have the
right to utilize any foreign power for protection, including
Iran. Alluding to Desert Shield/Storm, al-Nimr noted that
Iranian assistance to the Saudi Shi'a would be no different
than the actions of other regional governments or sects who
have sought the help of foreign governments to protect them
from other countries.


5. (S/NF) Local Shi'a websites reported that on July 26,
al-Nimr sent a letter to IslamOnline.net claiming that his
words had been manipulated and taken out of context in the
July 22 interview. He denied having said that it is the
right of Saudi Shi'a to benefit from outside force, including
Iran. He also said that he does not believe "piety abroad"
is Iran or America, but rather that piety is God alone.

-------------- --
AL-NIMR'S INFLUENCE AND THE IMPACT OF HIS WORDS
-------------- --


6. (S/NF) Sheikh al-Nimr's July rhetoric follows up on his
January 2008 Ashura sermon calling for creation of a
"Righteous Opposition Front" that will "fight and condemn
those who prevent us from practicing our faith." Per post
contacts, the Sheikh's calls did not result in any such front
being created, but did earn him a visit from the Eastern
Province Mabahith (Reftel A).


7. (S/NF) Most in the Qatif community believe that despite
the press coverage of his words, al-Nimr continues to be
second-tier leader within the Saudi Shi'a community. Jafar
al-Shayeb, one of the leading political figures among the
Saudi Shi'a, told PolOff that as al-Nimr is not part of a
larger social or political grouping (such as the Islahiyyah
movement - often referred to in the past as "Shirazis" - or
Saudi Hizbollah),al-Nimr's influence is limited. (NOTE:
Al-Nimr follows Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi al-Mudarrasi, one of
the founders of the Islamic Action Organization in Iraq, as
his marja. Al-Mudarrasi does not espouse the ideology of
wilayet al-faqih, in which a country is led by a single
religious leader, but rather believes in shura al-fuqaha, in
which a council of religious leaders should lead the state.
Shura al-Fuqaha is an idea previously advocated by the late
Ayatollah Mohammed al-Husseini al-Shirazi. END NOTE).
Hussein al-Alaq, one of the managers of Shi'a political
website rasid.com, also told PolOff that al-Nimr commands
only a minor following within Qatif. Relating a personal
anecdote, al-Alaq said that he had recently attended a Friday
sermon at al-Nimr's Imam al Hussain Mosque and was surprised
to find the Sheikh speaking to an audience of only some 50 to
75 people. Nabih al-Ibrahim, Vice President of the Qatif
Municipal Council and a childhood friend and current Awamiyya
neighbor of al-Nimr, believed that the sheikh's range of
influence is limited to Awamiyya. Al-Ibrahim believes that
of the village's approximately 25,000 residents (his
estimate) some 500 are ardent supporters of al-Nimr who would
take action if commanded by the Sheikh.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (S/NF) All contacts spoken to by PolOff believe Sheikh
Nimr's comments are unhelpful to the goals of greater rights
for the Shi'a community. They believe that Sunni
conservatives will use the comments of Sheikh Nimr to
perpetuate stereotypes of the Shi'a community at-large,
promoting suspicions about Shi'a allegiances, and
discrediting the King's attempts at greater openness.
Despite the timing, Al-Nimr tried to de-link his statements
from King Abdullah's efforts for interfaith dialogue, saying
that his demands have nothing to do with the King's attempts
at encouraging openness, and instead are demands that have
been made by Saudi Shi'a for decades. A recurring comment by
friends and foes of Sheikh al-Nimr is that he lacks the
ability to place his actions within a greater vision for the
community. Though most described him as a kind personality,
all agreed that he is unsure of what he wants to accomplish

RIYADH 00001197 003 OF 003


with his aggressive rhetoric. While his words appeal to
those tired of what they see as stagnancy in securing greater
Shi'a rights, most analysts believe that al-Nimr has no
greater plan for his words, and instead simply lets emotion
and demagoguery get the best of him.


9. (S/NF) The fears of post's contacts regarding the backlash
against al-Nimr's words have already been realized as
websites such as Sabq and al-Sahat have used al-Nimr's
comments to criticize both the Sheikh and his sect. On
al-Bina forum (www.benaa.com) one commentator called this "a
clear statement about the rejectionists' (Shi'a) allegiance
to Iran," while another referred to it as "Shi'a terror."
Many of these conservative sites also brought up the question
of why al-Nimr has not been reined in by Saudi authorities, a
question that is echoed by Qatif leaders. Given past
imprisonments and the reaction to his January statements, the
SAG follows Sheikh al-Nimr closely (Reftel B),making the
lack of MOI action during July all the stranger. Conspiracy
theorists offer that the MOI has not intervened because this
radical Shi'a rhetoric plays into the hands of Interior
Minister Prince Naif - and his Sudairi brothers - who they
perceive as opposing the King's efforts at interfaith
dialogue (Reftel C). Others believe that the SAG is hesitant
to create social unrest by arresting Sheikh al-Nimr, while a
third opinion argues that the SAG will react, but as with
many things, on its own timeline.


10. (S/NF) Given the lack of tangible response to his January
statements, the probability that these July statements will
result in any immediate repercussions - outside of possible
MOI action against al-Nimr - is minimal. Shi'a unrest
continues to bubble below the surface, and the deterioration
of public safety in Qatif both serves as evidence of and fuel
for increasing tensions. But, despite this unrest and the
rabble-rousing of al-Nimr, the primary power centers in the
Shi'a community still believe that continuing to work with
the SAG - without demands followed by threats of violence -
is the only feasible option for greater freedoms.

(APPROVED:JKINCANNON)
GFOELLER