ALGERIAN MUSLIM LEADERS SAY YOUTH INCREASINGLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ALGIERS 000837 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2019 TAGS: AG KISL PGOV PREL SCUL US SUBJECT: ALGERIAN MUSLIM LEADERS SAY YOUTH INCREASINGLY RELIGIOUS Classified By: Ambassador David. D. Pearce, Ambassador. Reason 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador hosted an iftar for prominent Algerian Muslim scholars September 8. All in the group, who belong to the Algerian religious establishment, felt that while salafist extremism lacked broad appeal in Algeria, the Algerian religious establishment could do better in offering a positive vision to the country's disaffected youth. They noted increased religiosity among Algerian youth, which some attributed to chronically difficult and deteriorating socio-economic conditions and a perceived Western hostility to Islam. The president of Algeria's High Islamic Council believes Islam is capable of adapting itself to changing modern conditions through continuing interpretation (ijtihad). End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador's guests for his September 8 iftar for local religious scholars included presidential advisor and head of Algeria's High Islamic Council Cheikh Bouamrane, the director of Islamic studies at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and professors from the faculty of Islamic studies at the University of Algiers. Cheikh Bouamrane expressed his appreciation for President Obama's efforts to engage the Muslim world in a constructive dialogue, citing in particular the President's Cairo speech. Many of the guests were former International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) candidates. ¶3. (C) All in the group felt that, while salafist extremism lacked broad appeal in Algeria, the Algerian religious establishment could do better in offering a positive vision to the country's disaffected youth. They noted increased religiosity among Algerian youth, which some attributed to chronically difficult and deteriorating socio-economic conditions and a perceived Western hostility to Islam. Asked about their efforts to engage youth, the guests said Algeria's religious institutions were far younger and thus less revered than historic Islamic institutions of higher learning elsewhere, such as the Islamic universities of al-Azhar in Egypt and al-Zeitoun in Tunisia. This lack of historical stature was a relative handicap for Algerian Islamic educational institutions. Nevertheless, Dr. Mahfoud Smati, professor of sociology at the University of Algeria, said that his faculty has no problem attracting students, and all courses are fully enrolled. ¶4. (C) Dr. Mohamed Lamine Belghit, professor of Islamic sciences at the University of Algiers, thought that the Algerian government-funded religious institutions were not well up to the task of engaging the country's youth but noted that zaouias, religious fraternities associated with Sufism and quite numerous in North Africa, are picking up the slack and attracting a growing number of young Algerians. One professor pointed to a very popular television show featuring young men competing for the title of best Quran reciter and noted that more youth are learning to chant/recite the Quran. ¶5. (C) Abdelouahab Belaroussi, director of religious studies at the Ministry of Religious affairs and imam of the Abou Bakkir Seddik mosque in the Mouradia area of Algiers, opined that younger Algerians were more religious than their parents' generation. Other guests agreed, and also noted the growing number of women wearing the hijab and increasing mosque attendance. One guest told the PAO he believed growing religiosity could be associated with the deteriorating economic conditions or perceived attacks against Islam from the West. Belaroussi estimated that Algeria needed to increase its cadre of imams by approximately 20 percent. ¶6. (C) The Ambassador asked about the role of interpretation of Quranic principles (al-ijtihad). Islamic Council President Bouamrane explained that, while fundamental Islamic principles were timeless and unalterable, the process of ijtihad had adapted them continuously to contemporary conditions. He contrasted this with Christianity, which he claimed had altered its basic principles over the course of history. Bouamrane stated that, through ijtihad, Islam was eminently capable of evolving in tandem with modern conditions. ¶7. (U) These religious leaders also provided emboffs with their perspectives on a recent controversy surrounding Taraweeh prayer services, performed nightly after iftar with recitations of the entire Quran over the month of Ramadan. Many at the Ambassador's iftar claimed that some imams are shortening the length of the prayers and Quran recitation (for no more reason than to get home earlier),which is causing some discord in religious circles. These imams believed, however, that imams who are abbreviating Taraweeh prayers are a small minority. ¶8. (U) Asked about interfaith dialogue, many of the Imams noted that Algeria's non-Muslim community was minuscule but ALGIERS 00000837 002 OF 002 there are venues for them to discuss issues of concern with representatives from the Christian community. One of those attending, Smati, had a particular interest in dialogue of civilizations, and said he had traveled frequently to Europe, notably Spain and France for conferences on the subject. ¶9. (U) This event provided an opportunity for us to touch base with the leaders of Islamic institutions in the country and reaffirm our commitment to dialogue with peoples of all faiths. The Ambassador delivered remarks that incorporated key passages drawn from the President's White House iftar statement. The group made a point of saying that they recognized, and appreciated, the President's efforts at outreach to the Islamic world. PEARCE