JORDAN: EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INTERFAITH CONCILIATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 AMMAN 002385 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM KIRF PREL JO SUBJECT: JORDAN: EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INTERFAITH CONCILIATION REF: A. AMMAN 1115 ¶B. AMMAN 990 ¶C. 08 AMMAN 1329 ¶D. 07 AMMAN 3811 Classified By: Ambassador R. Stephen Beecroft for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOJ has been a steadfast and even courageous advocate in the Middle East of interfaith understanding, mutual respect, and the rejection of religious extremism. In doing so, Jordan has built a moderate institutional infrastructure with which to widely promote moderate Islam and inter-faith dialogue both domestically and internationally. The GOJ motivations behind this work are political and security-related and, as such, their main goal is to tightly control religious institutions, their message to society, and religious sentiments. Jordan's institutional infrastructure and promotion of moderation have also failed to translate into any recent, visible improvements in religious freedom domestically. Post continues to press Jordan to address religious freedom issues instead of only focusing on controlling religious sentiment in the country. END SUMMARY. The Building of a Moderate Institutional Infrastructure -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) The GOJ was quick to understand the potentially incendiary effect of religious politics on stability and the security implications associated with both extremist groups and internal religious strife. As such, Jordan began a process thirty years ago to develop religious bodies to promote a moderate and peaceful vision of Islam. These bodies are also NOW at the forefront of Jordan's efforts to promote inter-faith dialogue internationally. -- In 1980, the Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought (originally called Royal Academy for Islamic Civilization Research) was established by the late King Hussein to promote Islamic moderation in Jordan and the region through research and dialogue. Aal al-Bayt's most influential work was the development of the 2005 Amman Message. Recently, Aal al-Bayt, NOW under the direction of Prince Ghazi, has become an international leader in the promotion of inter-faith understanding. -- In 1994, the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies was established by the GOJ as a platform for interfaith dialogue and research with a special focus on the role of Christianity in Arab and Muslim societies. The Institute regularly sponsors inter-faith events and also publishes an academic journal. (Note: There are several other inter-faith organizations, such as the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Center, that sponsor programs and initiatives to encourage understanding between followers of different faiths. End Note) -- In 2000, Jordan hosted a historic visit by the late Pope John Paul II as part of a tour of the holy land. During the visit, the Pope met with King Abdullah and proclaimed that Christians and Muslims are part of one family. -- In 2005, the Amman Message was published, which laid out an inclusive and nonviolent version of Islam. King Abdullah wanted scholars from all schools of Islam to agree on such a message in order for there to be a strong and official counterweight to a variety of extremist messages and doctrines promulgated throughout the region (ref C). Specifically, the Amman Message included religious rulings which ban declarations of apostasy between Muslims and established criteria for the issuance of fatwas (religious decrees). The Amman Message was developed through an international conference of scholars from 50 countries and was endorsed by the Organization of the Islamic Conference in December 2005. -- In 2006, the "Open Letter to the Pope" was drafted by thirty-eight Islamic scholars from around the world as an attempt to calm the waters after Pope Benedict quoted a Byzantine emperor who called Islam evil and inhumane in an address in Regensberg, Germany. The Open Letter explains various aspects of Islamic thought which emphasize moderation and peace. -- In 2007, "A Common Word Between Us and You" was written by Prince Ghazi with over 100 other Muslim scholars and clerics as a further response to the Regensberg Address and to highlight commonalties between Christianity and Islam. The Common Word was also designed to be a framework for interfaith dialogue around the world. -- From 2007 to 2009, the Common Word has served as the basis AMMAN 00002385 002 OF 003 for a series of interfaith events, of which the Georgetown University event is simply the latest. Similar conferences have previously been held at the Vatican, at Cambridge University, and at Yale University. -- In 2008, the World Islamic Sciences and Education University (W.I.S.E. University) was formed by Aal al-Bayt in an attempt to consolidate higher Islamic education in Jordan and attract students of Islamic sciences from throughout the world. W.I.S.E. is a vehicle for Jordan to promote the principles of the Amman Message in higher education. -- In May 2009, Jordan hosted a visit by Pope Benedict. The visit was another important milestone in the dialogue between Vatican and the Muslim world. The Motivation: Controlling the Message -------------- ¶3. (C) The GOJ views the promotion of a moderate Islam as being in the best security interest of the country and, therefore, attempts to tightly control religious institutions and their message to society. The King directly, or in some cases through his designates, appoints the most influential religious figures in the country, such as the Grand Mufti, Ministers of Awqaf and Education, and the Mufti of the Armed Forces. This enables the government to select individuals who broadly support its vision and objectives and allows for some accountability to the government. These religious figures and officials are also given roles with key institutions, such as board memberships for Aal al-Bayt, to further coordinate the promulgated message. ¶4. (C) Another primary vehicle the government uses to control religious dialogue and sentiments in society is through the licensing and appointment of all imams throughout the Kingdom. The Ministry of Awqaf is responsible for the selection and appointment of imams. The perceived monitoring of sermons by the General Intelligence Directorate (GID) serves as an additional moderating factor as imams are careful not to step into the political realm or substantially wander from moderate Islamic stances. The government is also placing more emphasis on the selection of textbooks and instructional materials that reinforce the Amman message. Promotion of Inter-faith Dialogue Controversial to Some -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) Jordan's inter-faith efforts have not been without controversy. King Abdullah and the GOJ, for instance, faced sharp criticism from conservative clerics for welcoming Pope Benedict to Jordan (ref B). These critics argued that the Pope had not apologized sufficiently for his previous "insults" against Islam in Regensberg. The visit necessitated a massive security operation to ensure the Pope's protection. The Limits of Jordan's Interfaith Outreach -------------- ¶6. (C) Jordan's promotion of moderate Islam and inter-faith dialogue has failed to produce any recent, visible improvements in religious freedom domestically. While the Jordanian leadership has a vested political and security interest in promoting moderate Islam and ensuring that Christians and Muslims continue to mix easily in society, it has shown relatively little interest in addressing domestic "problem areas." For example, religious minority groups, such as the Baha'i, continue to complain of official and societal discrimination of varying levels of severity. There are also instances of Jordanian institutions and officials not practicing the tolerant Islam that they proclaim. Poet and journalist Islam Samhan was convicted of "insulting Islam" in October 2008 and sentenced to one year in prison for the controversial use of Koranic verses in his poetry. Government action against Samhan was taken only after the Grand Mufti, the country's most influential religious leader, issued a fatwa against the poet, labeling him an "infidel" and "apostate." He is currently on bail while waiting for the appeals process to begin. (Note: Post has discussed the poet's case at all levels of government and is using it as another tool to push for further improvements in the areas of freedom of speech and religion. End Note) Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) COMMENT. The GOJ has built a useful institutional framework with which to promote its message of dialogue, peace, and accommodation between Islam and other faiths. Its commitment to such outreach is sincere despite the motivations and extends to the very highest levels of the government. Although the GOJ's domestic record on religious AMMAN 00002385 003 OF 003 freedom is not perfect, Jordan is nevertheless a useful and obliging partner for the USG in our efforts to promote interfaith dialogue. Post continues to actively engage the government on several religious freedom issues, including official discrimination that exists for unrecognized religious groups, and to show how addressing these issues are also in Jordan's best interest. END COMMENT. Beecroft