TAJIK IMAMS RETURN FROM UNITED STATES WITH NEW OUTLOOK ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000688 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V/R/N T.J. GRUBISHA, SCA/CEN, DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KPAO KIRF KISL PINR TI SUBJECT: TAJIK IMAMS RETURN FROM UNITED STATES WITH NEW OUTLOOK ON AMERICAN POLICY AND RELIGION DUSHANBE 00000688 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: On June 1 CAO and PolOffs met with Domullo Numonkhon and Mullo Abdurahim, two of the five independent Tajik imams who traveled to the United States on the International Visitor Leadership Program. Numonkhon and Abdurahim are both conservative, and both had criticized U.S. foreign policy in the Muslim world during meetings with EmbOffs. The imams were overwhelmed by America's religious freedom and tolerance, although they expressed concerns about converts from Islam, revealing attire and polytheistic religions. While still concerned about U.S. foreign policy, they expressed support for the U.S. effort in Iraq and said they would talk about their trip extensively in the future. End summary. THE GOOD: SCHOOLS, FREEDOM AND FOGGY BOTTOM ¶3. (U) The five Imams traveled to Washington, Dallas, Los Angeles, Detroit and New York City. They were consistently most impressed by religious schools, both Muslim and non-Muslim, which they visited in Dallas and Dearborn, Michigan. Both were surprised that students who graduate from parochial schools can enter U.S. universities, and that the degrees are equivalent to secular schools - a sharp contrast from Tajikistan, where madrassas are tightly controlled and of poor quality and degrees from the Islamic Institute were not recognized until this year. ¶4. (U) Many meetings in Washington also seemed to resonate with the Imams, who said they found American officials "humble, and not arrogant like our officials are." They met jointly with the National Security Council and SCA at the State Department and said they thought the discussion was extremely interesting. ¶5. (U) Neither of the imams has significantly changed their opinion of U.S. foreign policy, although Numonkhon said he would "give President Obama some time." Surprisingly, Mullo Abdurahim said "We completely accept the policy of Barack Obama in Iraq." He said he served in Afghanistan during the Soviet Union's invasion, and "I know that it is impossible to obtain anything there through military means." He cited a lack of jobs and increasing drug production as signs that the situation in Afghanistan is not improving. 
 ¶6. (U) Both Imams said they now have a more positive view of American domestic policy. They were stunned by the freedom the U.S. Government gives to all religions, saying "It really is 100 percent religious freedom - more than I could ever have imagined." Abdurahim even suggested it was "too much," citing Buddhists, who "don't know who they are and don't know why they came into this world." They commented that while officials in Washington had assured them of American religious freedom during their initial meetings, they didn't actually believe it until they heard testimony from Muslims themselves. THE BAD: CONVERTS, SHORTS~AND BUDDHISTS? ¶7. (U) One Imam opened the meeting with a discussion of Islam's view on "infidels," i.e. people who were born Muslim but later converted to other religions. According to him, Muslims should never talk to these people. When asked if this had been a problem in the United States, he replied no, but that several groups - run by women, he pointed out - had not seemed to take this problem so seriously. Both Imams also questioned the faith of a Buddhist priest who had converted from Catholicism and "didn't look Japanese." ¶8. (U) The visit to a Buddhist temple in Los Angeles did seem to make an indelible impression on the Imams, who are still debating whether polytheists are atheists or not. They also seem DUSHANBE 00000688 002.2 OF 002 to equate Buddhists, along with "Hollywood stars," with gay marriage. In general, the Imams were hesitant about interacting with other religions. Their interpreter reported that they would not enter a Sikh home because religious idols were displayed inside, and they also declined to enter the National Cathedral in Washington. Unfortunately, this incident led to the cancellation of meetings with Jewish groups, depriving the Imams of a chance to interact with another faith. ¶9. (U) The group adjusted somewhat to cultural norms in the United States, but still commented that they felt uncomfortable riding the subway in New York and Washington and seeing people in shorts. One said "it's just too much temptation." WHAT'S NEXT? ¶10. (SBU) Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda, a well-known independent politician and religious figure, told EmbOffs that Numonkhon and Abdurahim came to his house for dinner shortly after our meeting. He spent the evening discussing the trip with the imams, and he encouraged them to talk about their experiences during their sermons at Friday prayers. EmbOffs have heard from many Tajiks who visit Abdurahim's mosque that they are eagerly anticipating Abdurahim speaking about his impressions of the United States. ¶11. (SBU) Comment: This trip was an extremely important aspect of our engagement with Tajikistan's Sunni leadership. Despite continued skepticism about some aspects of life in the United States and about U.S. foreign policy, both Numonkhon and Abdurahim said that they simply did not have time process how transformational their trip was. They could not fathom how rich and diverse religious life in America truly is. They are discussing their trip among themselves and with other important religious figures. The five imams preach to a combined estimated audience of 25,000 people each Friday; they reach even more through DVDs and recordings. Their comments about the United States will be very influential among the increasing number of Tajiks who attend mosques. Numonkhon took a cell phone video of a young American girl reciting the Koran in Arabic. We estimate that hundreds, if not thousands of people will see this video and express amazement that it was shot in the United States. The examples the imams have brought back have a strong potential to change attitudes toward America in the places it is most important. ¶12. We selected another group of imams for participation in the FY2010 International Visitor Leadership Program and would like to continue this outreach in the future, despite receiving fewer slots in the program each year. It will be equally important to continue to engage with imams after they return to Tajikistan. End comment. JACOBSON