BENIN: GPRA REPORT: SPEAKER PROGRAM ON ISLAM IN THE U.S.

UNCLAS COTONOU 000194

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD (ANYASO, TITUS, LISENBY),PD/IIP (McMICHAEL),AF/W
(ACOOK)
PARIS FOR ARS (DWINTON)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRC SCUL OIIP KPAO BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: GPRA REPORT: SPEAKER PROGRAM ON ISLAM IN THE U.S.


1. SUMMARY: From May 4-8, 2009 IIP Speaker Imam Moujahed Mouhammad
Bakhach delivered engaging and well-received lectures on Islam in
the U.S. to highly appreciative Beninise audiences. The speaker's
program successfully encouraged open and honest debate on issues
such as Islamic practices, non-violence in Islam, Women in Islam and
interfaith dialogue. The discussion on these topics gave the
positive message that Islam promotes full participation of women in
civic and religious activities and non-violence. Imam Bakhach's
excellent grasp of the subject and his open-mindedness further
amplified the messages of dialogue, tolerance and unity that
pervaded his entire program. END SUMMARY.



2. VENUES: On May 4, at the American Cultural Center, Imam Moujahed
Mouhammad Bakhach spoke to more than 80 religious leaders, Muslim
women, youth association members and journalists on the following
topics: How is Islam practiced in the U.S.? What is the place and
roleof women in Islam? How do Muslims in the U.S live with other
religious denominations? What are the common issues and challenges
Muslims face in the U.S?

The Ambassador introduced the Imam in the context of President
Barack Obama's overall vision of global promotion of dialogue,
citing his example and intention that American diplomats serve on
the front line of outreach to various communities, including to
Muslims. In that regard, she said that the U.S. Mission welcomed
the opportunity to host the Imam as a means of outreach to the
Muslim community of Benin and to promotion of mutual understanding
generally between the United States of America and Benin. The Imam
stated that his aim in visiting Benin was to correct misconceptions
about treatment of Muslims in America and explain the level of
religious freedom Muslims enjoy in the U.S. in order to build a
bridge of understanding between Muslims in the U.S. and in Benin. He
pointed out that lack of knowledge about Islam is leading to
misconceptions and stereotypes and judgments about Muslims in the
world. He also noted that Muslims, themselves, bore some
responsibility for the negative stereotypes because they had kept to
themselves and did not, generally, participate in the broader civic
society activities.

Imam Bakhach noted that after the events of September 11, 2001,
following his encouragement, Muslims in the Ft. Worth, Texas area
began to volunteer for community service in order to improve their
image. Imam Bakhach encouraged every Muslim to learn about the
tenets of Islam in order to know the difference between cultural
practices and Quranic teachings and then to learn about other
religions in order to establish interfaith dialogue and unity.

Imam Bakhach is an active member of the Interfaith Community in Ft.
Worth, Texas and the Tarrant Area Community of Churches. He
advocated the need for interfaith dialogue because it leads to
mutual understanding, tolerance and peace and unity in the
community.

Beninese Imam Jalili Yessoufou, an IV alumnus who participated at
the ACC conference, observed that there are at least 120 examples of
interfaith dialogue mentioned in more than 1000 verses in the Quran.
He stressed that, in fact, it is a divine command for Muslims to
promote interfaith dialogue.

Focusing on the role of women in Islam, Imam Bakhach cited the
example of Khadidja, the Prophet Mohammed's wife, who was a business
woman, a teacher, and a warrior, to disprove misconceptions about
women's role in the workforce.

According to Islamist and local guest speaker El Hadj Afis Ambekema,
women, who historically had suffered from abuses such as theft, rape
and violence, were liberated by Islamic teachings. He opined that
today, there is no excuse for denying women their right to
existence, to education and to rights of legal inheritance.

On May 5, the morning conference in the capitol city of Porto-Novo
was followed by an afternoon viewing of the film entitled, "On
Behalf of All Women." This USAID- sponsored film, aimed at combating
sexual harassment in schools and at the workplace, was the perfect
backdrop for Imam Bakhach to highlight women's role and rights as
described in the Quran. He noted that women have the obligation to
cover their head and the right to work, as well as to apply for
divorce.

On May 6, Imam Bakhach headed for the town of Parakou, six hours
outside of Cotonou, in the North of Benin, and the following day he
travelled to Djougou, two and a half hours distant. At least half of
the population of Parakou is Muslim, whereas 95 % of the population
of Djougou is Muslim. The audience of over 350 in Parakou and
Djougou were unabashed in their criticism against U.S. foreign
policy in Arabic countries especially Iraq, Palestine and
Afghanistan. Audience members asked, "Why is America ruling the
world? Who makes America the police of the world?" Imam Bakhach
explained the U.S. values of democracy and justice and their
willingness to help establish democracy and justice in the world,
especially when its allies asked for their help. Such an explanation
of American values of democracy gave the positive message that
change was possible and reinforced the hopeful feeling engendered in
the world by President Obama's election. The audience reacted
favorably to his explanation and made prayers for President Barack
Obama and asked Allah to give him good health and long life so that
he can continue ruling and changing the world.

In Djougou, Imam Bakhach, accompanied by the PAO the Cultural
Affairs Assistant and Mohammed Adamou, an IV Alumnus, paid a
courtesy call to the King and the Imam of Djougou. The week-long
program on Islam ended on May 8, at the Central Mosque of Cadjehoun
where Imam Bakhach was introduced to the audience by Imam Issiaka
Ligali, an IV alumnus, who participated in the program on Islam in
America in 2002.


3. MPP UMBRELLA THEMES AND AUDIENCE REACHED: Promoting Human Rights,
Education, and Mutual Understanding. 600 participants, including
religious leaders, Islamists, Women and Youth associations,
journalists, NGO members, students, alumni and other interested
guests attended the activities that were covered by major media
outlets including TV, radio and print media. Estimated audience
reached: 3.5 million. Imam Bakhach participated in an interview on
Golfe TV and two interviews on local radio stations in the North.


4. IMMEDIATE RESULTS /IMPACT: The program received very positive
reviews from participants in all of the events. Participants
approached the Imam after the conferences, especially in the Muslim
North, noting how his remarks at the conference made them change
their mind about the U.S. They also suggested arranging a Sister
City partnership between the city of Djougou and Fort Worth, Texas.
Only one woman attended the conferences in the north, but in Cotonou
and Parakou, women especially appreciated learning more about their
role and rights as Muslims. In addition to further reinforcing
positive Beninese impressions of America, this program served as an
important and favorable outreach to engaging Muslim audiences on key
issues in our programming activities.


5. NON-USG SOURCES OF IN-COUNTRY FUNDING/IN KIND SUPPORT: Post
appreciated the participation of Muslim IV alumni who helped
organize the events in Cotonou and in the North.


6. QUALITY OF USG SUPPORT: Excellent. Imam Moujahed Mouhammad
Bakhach is an engaging speaker who delivered his remarks both in
Arabic as well as English. He knows his subject well and his
personal character made him a big hit with each audience. His
experience as an active member of his community and the interfaith
community brought vivid examples to his communications.
BROWN