ENGAGING ISLAM IN A NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION -- NOTED CLERIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 000112


E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019
TAGS: PTER PREL SCUL AE
SUBJECT: ENGAGING ISLAM IN A NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION -- NOTED CLERIC
IN UAE EXPRESSES OPTIMISM

REF: A) 08 ABU DHABI 1112, B) 08 ABU DHABI 1111

Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Moderate Islam -- carefully monitored by
authorities -- is the accepted norm in the UAE. Clerics comfortable
with the establishment's approach set the tone of Islamic discourse.
In a private luncheon with one such active voice, Pol Chief was
pressed to encourage a balanced USG approach to Islam, reminded of
high hopes the Muslim world has for the new U.S. President, and asked
for advice on channeling interfaith dialogue most effectively. The
goal of sharing a tolerant view of Islam clearly reflects the UAEG's
preferred Islamic tone; whether this "establishment" ideal reflects
the views of a majority of hearts and minds in the UAE is less clear
in the absence of rigorous popular dialogue. End summary.


2. (SBU) Noted Islamic scholar Habib al-Jifri (full name Habib Ali
Zain Al Abideen Al Jifri) requested a January 26 lunch to continue a
dialogue started previously on interfaith and intercultural
understanding. Founder of the Tabah Foundation (dedicated to
enhancing modern Islamic discourse with UAEG funding support) and a
frequent presence on television, in mosques, in inter-faith
dialogues, and in senior circles of the Abu Dhabi establishment,
al-Jifri wanted to review some of his frustrations about the depth of
engagement between Islam and the West and solicit advice on focusing
inter-faith dialogue. In a relaxed exchange -- more a personal
dialogue than formal diplomatic conversation -- he revealed part of
his own story and appealed for renewed efforts at mutual
understanding.

Defining personal jihad
--------------


3. (C) Al-Jifri spoke of a convincing speech by a young Osama bin
Laden in Hadramawt, Yemen, when he (al-Jifri) was an impressionable
16-year-old dedicated to a pious Islamic creed. He said he emerged
from that session ready to commit to the jihad in Afghanistan. He
told his mother he would be leaving for jihad; she suggested he visit
his own spiritual advisor, who wisely advised him that the jihad of
the sword was not his ultimate calling but that mastering his heart
and morals were a more worthy cause. That moment changed his life,
he emphasized, elaborating on the need for tolerance and mutual
understanding; love of God and man are what should capture our
imaginations, not division and violence. (He also clearly contrasted
the appearance of a convincing young Osama with the current
"evil-looking" face of the same man.)

Inter-connecting communities and civilizations
-------------- -


4. (C) Having chosen the route of peace and moderation, al-Jifri
said he has sought understanding across many cultures while losing
the support of the more rigid Islamic authorities (he said two fatwas
against him inhibit his visiting Mecca). He described his personal
investment in interfaith dialogue, including what he said were very
productive sessions at Yale and Cambridge last year, in addition to
dialogue with the Vatican (he was one of 38 Islamic scholars who
penned an open letter to the Pope in 2006). Through these activities
he has tried to see the world as others perceive it -- discovering
agreement on underlying principles of human faith in spite of
doctrinal differences. Committed to continue this effort, he said he
will be participating in strategy sessions among his peers in coming
days to further refine methods and goals of future dialogue.

President Obama and American values -- Gaza
--------------


5. (C) Expressing high hopes for President Obama, whose emphasis on
"American values and principles" is just what the world hopes to see
from America, al-Jifri said that as a global power the U.S. should
step back from the destruction of recent years and restore faith in
its moderate role. The world needs the contribution that America can
make. Asked what particular advice he would offer the new President,
he said the President's oft-repeated values and principles should be
his guide. He should look at "1.5 million people suffering in Gaza"
at face value, for example, not merely as a population caught up in
"Israel's right to defend itself." Former President Bush's statement
to that effect had drowned out the moderates, he cautioned,
inhibiting moderate Islam from curbing the power of Hamas. Pressed
nonetheless to acknowledge an ongoing Arab/Muslim role in squelching
the power of Hamas, he reiterated that his (and his peers') ability
to do so was impeded by "American sound bites" justifying the war --
creating an outcry in Arab streets that no one could combat.
Speaking out against Hamas would in fact have been counterproductive
in the heat of emotions swirling around Gaza, he asserted.


6. (SBU) He also advised the new U.S. President to let reality
define his perceptions, not rely on the impressions of others. A
leader must take great care to ensure that advice proffered on topics
related to the Middle East and Islam are not tainted by anyone's
political agenda. See Gaza as the human catastrophe that it is, he
suggested.


7. (C) Lamenting the plight of the Palestinians, and with clear
emotion (his eyes welled up with tears) as he spoke of the suffering,
al-Jifri noted the damage done to American interests by the Gaza
conflict. He recounted an anecdote at the Sana'a Airport in which he
had offered a candy bar to an Egyptian child. The child's father had
said he did not want his child eating the sweet if it was from
America, so al-Jifri asked permission to offer it to the child
directly. The child's reply was even more surprising: "That is the
flesh of the children of Gaza."

Commonality between religions;
and tolerance for differences
--------------


8. (C) In a discussion of religion's role in society, al-Jifri
stated his desire to understand Christian views more deeply as he
pursues greater peace and tolerance. He took the discussion of
Christ a step beyond the oft-mentioned precept that Muslims consider
Christ a noted prophet, and shared his own deep feelings about
Christ's influence in guiding humankind. He did not feel that
doctrinal differences need inhibit human cooperation.


9. (C) Al-Jifri noted that Islam is no more monolithic than
Christianity, making the "dialogue within religions" as much a
challenge as the "dialogue between" them. He argued for a flexible
interpretation of some aspects of worship -- offering the anecdote of
multiple acceptable postures in Muslim prayer as an example. Small
variations should not inhibit a common understanding of the
underlying spiritual goal. We must avoid stereotypes and set aside
skepticism of those who may be a little different than us.


10. (C) A leader in any capacity -- religious, political, or
societal -- must use caution in what they say, he added. Avoiding
saying the "wrong" thing is also critical, as unintentional
consequences often result from careless words. Once errant words
have poisoned perceptions, leaders lose their ability to reign in
negative reactions.

Movies as a medium -- but costly
--------------


11. (SBU) Pol Chief noted the merits to cross-cultural understanding
of a film recently screened in Abu Dhabi (sponsored by Abu Dhabi
authorities with much fanfare) on the topic of Ibn Battuta's 14th
century pilgrimage to Mecca. Articulately presented for an
English-speaking audience, the film offered a heavy dose of Islamic
faith against the backdrop of a human drama to which many can easily
relate. Al-Jifri said similar films were under consideration. He
described one on the topic of Islamic views of forgiveness --
designed to display the fears of some residents of Mecca (that they
would be dealt with severely) on the eve of the Prophet Mohammed's
re-entry into the city and contrasting those fears with the actual
approach the Prophet took (mercy to the vanquished). A well produced
film could leave viewers with a potentially favorable (or at least
balanced) view of one key aspect of Islam, felt al-Jifri.


12. (C) Al-Jifri said although such films could tell a powerful
story to non-Muslim audiences, financing was a problem. Corporate
sponsors, for example, don't want to be affiliated with religion and
therefore shy away from these projects. Without financing, the cost
of producing a quality film is prohibitive, he lamented. (Pol Chief
also noted that sources of funding often "label" films as propaganda,
so careful financing is key.)

Comment: Commitment to the approved faith
--------------


13. (C) Comment: While it is natural to have one's personal
religious framework foremost in mind when discussing international
understanding -- and al-Jifri is clearly a strict and committed
traditional Muslim cleric who very much looks the part -- it is also
vital that all parties keep sight of the common ideals of humanity.
Al-Jifri represents a dedicated Islamic force, with full commitment
to his cause, while exhibiting genuine interest in a deeper
appreciation for alternative perspectives. This approach reflects
the UAEG's brand of moderation, exhibited in the Abu Dhabi Crown
Prince's Ramadan lectures (reftels),highlighted in the diverse
nature of the UAE's cosmopolitan population, and even carved into a
new series of sculptures outside the Crown Prince's Diwan which
spells out the word "tolerance" in English.


14. (C) Comment continued: At the same time, al-Jifri's
UAEG-endorsed approach to his faith is not necessarily approved by
all. In a society acclimated to conformity and order (guided from
the top down),anecdotal reports suggest that official scripting of
weekly sermons may push some away from "approved Islam" and leave
them inclined to explore their religion on their own terms. By
preventing space for religious (or political) dialogue and limiting
the intellectual rigor and critical analysis that strengthens
understanding of one's own creed, authorities may in some measure
impede the very ideals they seek to achieve. It is also troubling
that moderate Islamic voices do not (in this case claim they cannot)
do more to combat Islamic extremism in places like Gaza. American
sound bites aside, we need moderate Islam to help shoulder the
responsibility of spreading moderation. End comment.

OLSON