AMBASSADOR HOSTS EGYPTIAN RELIGIOUS INTELLECTUALS

UNCLAS CAIRO 001767 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL KPAO EG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS EGYPTIAN RELIGIOUS INTELLECTUALS AS FOLLOW-UP TO THE PRESIDENT,S CAIRO SPEECH ¶1. (U) Summary: On August 12, the Ambassador hosted a lunch for intellectual leaders from Egypt,s Muslim community, as follow-up to President Obama,s June 2009 Cairo speech. Spirited discussion took place on how to facilitate continued dialogue. Guests stressed the need to engage the American public with information about moderate Islam and the importance of a comprehensive solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict. Participants appeared uniformly pleased to have the opportunity to discuss ways to improve understanding between Americans and the Egyptian and worldwide Muslim communities. ¶2. (U)Participants included: - Dr. Mohamed Al Shahat Al Gindy, Secretary General, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs; - Dr. Tayseeir Mandoor, Director, Department of Psychology, Al Azhar University; School of Medicine and member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; - Dr. Amna Nosseir professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at Al Azhar University and member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; - Sheik Ibrahim Reda, imam of Cairo,s Al Haqeen Mosque and host of Islamic affairs segment of television program &Good Morning Egypt;8 - Dr. Suad Saleh, professor of comparative jurisprudence at Al Azhar University; - Dr. Ali Al Samman, member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; - Sheik Ahmed Turki, imam at Al Nour Mosque, Cairo. - Dr. Fawzey Al Zifzaf, member of Al Azhar,s Islamic Research Council; - Ambassador Nermin Wafiq, Deputy Assistant Minister for Cultural and Religious Affairs; - Dr. Fawzey Al Zifzaf, member of Al Azhar,s Islamic Research Council; - Dr. Ahmed Kamal Aboul Magd, Vice-president of the National Council for Human Rights and a member of the Islamic Research Council; - Dr. Fadel Soliman, Director of the Bridges Foundation; - Nesreen Gom,aa, author. ¶4. (U) On August 12, following up on President Obama,s Cairo speech, the Ambassador hosted a lunch with key Egyptian religious leaders. Guests remarked that President Obama does not depict Islam as a problem. Several noted President Obama,s readiness to highlight the positive contribution of individuals from the Islamic world. Guests remarked on the change of tone towards the Islamic community. The majority of guests cited this change in tone as the most important outcome of President Obama,s speech. ¶5. (U) Participants suggested a number of ideas to promote dialogue between the US and the worldwide Muslim community. Some suggestions were very local in nature and could be implemented immediately, such as expanding the "English for Imams" program (managed by Embassy Cairo). Guests also expressed interest in expanded student exchange programs. Others ideas were more complex, such as the request to address a perceived bias against Islam in U.S. schools. ¶6. (U) The most strident discussion surrounded the worldwide Muslim community,s desire for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Several guests spoke passionately about the need for the U.S. to commit to effectively addressing the conflict. The perceived need for "justice" for the Palestinian people was presented as an essential condition for both regional stability and restoration of America's standing in the eyes of the worldwide Muslim community. Several suggested that meaningful engagement will be difficult absent a comprehensive Middle East peace. Scobey