ISLAMISTS SEEK TO UNDERMINE FEMALE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000463 SIPDIS NEA/ARP (JSAWYER),NEA/PPD (DBENZE) E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: PGOV KPAO PHUM PREL KWMNU KU SUBJECT: ISLAMISTS SEEK TO UNDERMINE FEMALE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES REF: A. KUWAIT 324 ¶B. KUWAIT 224 Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d Summary: -------------- ¶1. (C) As the May 16 parliamentary elections loom, conservative elements in KUWAIT have begun taking "potshots" against front running female candidates. These tactics include issuing fatwas against voting for women and using interpretations of Islam to demonize those candidates who choose not to wear the hijab or who appear to stand a good chance of winning. The liberals in KUWAIT have already ceded large gains to the Islamist leaning tribes, but hold on to hope that one, or maybe two, women will make history in Kuwait and seize coveted "green chairs" in the National Assembly. End summary. Background: Caught on YouTube -------------- ¶2. (C) In one of several recent attacks on the legitimacy of female parliamentary candidates, Islamists have challenged leading female candidate Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi (ref A) on theological grounds. Prior to the election season, Dr. Al-Awadhi, in her political philosophy class at KUWAIT University, had challenged her class to engage in critical thinking by leading discussions on Koranic Sura number 33 which called on Mohammed to instruct his wives to wear the hijab. This exchange was captured on video and later broadcast out of context via YouTube by her opponents, thus stoking controversy prior to the elections. Dr. Al-Awadhi, who does not cover her hair, is a front running candidate for parliament and one of the women most likely to succeed in winning a coveted National Assembly "green chair." The discovery of the video clip (since removed from YouTube) has proved useful fodder for right-leaning critics in their attacks against Al-Awadhi. In response to the clip, conservative elements, notably Islamist former MP and current candidate Dr. Walid Al-Tabtabaei, castigated her on Islamic grounds, accusing her of approaching, (but not crossing) theological red lines. The predictably reactionary Al-Tabtabaei said in a widely reported May 5 statement that "infringement on the legitimacy of the hijab and claiming that it was meant only for the wives of Prophet Mohammed is a serious issue and should not have been said in an academic institution." Liberals Fight Back -------------- ¶3. (C) Liberal Kuwaitis, who dread what they anticipate could be an important victory for conservative leaning tribalists on May 16 (ref B),have defended Dr. Al-Awadhi against such "extortion by traders in religion." Dr. Al-Awadhi, who stands a good chance of victory, is to the liberal community a beacon of hope that the soon-to-be tribally-dominated parliament could have at least one liberal, female presence. Others see the attacks on Al-Awadhi, along with a recent Salafi fatwa against voting for female candidates, as a sign of desperation from the Islamists that the glass ceiling for female parliamentarians may soon be shattered. In the ongoing campaigning, female candidates are further pushing the envelope on male-dominated politics by entering diwaniyyas (traditionally all male gathering places) and -- for the first time -- addressing all male audiences. In a May 6 press interview, female candidate Thekra al-Rasheedi said "last year, I struggled to visit diwaniyyas simply because I am a woman. This year, I have been invited by so many diwaniyyas that I don't have the time to visit them all." (Note: The Ambassador's presence over the past year at previously "male-only" diwaniyyas drew applause from most corners and predictable criticism from others, ironically following her visit to the religiously conservative ICM diwaniyyas, whose leaders were accused of hypocrisy in admitting an unaccompanied uncovered "Western" female. End note.) Comment: -------------- ¶4. (C) While the harassing tactics of Islamists and conservative-leaning tribalists would suggest desperation, they are, in fact poised to reap significant victories in the May 16 elections. At the same time, the opening of diwaniyyas to women as guest speakers signifies a cultural KUWAIT 00000463 002 OF 002 milestone of a different kind: for the first time in history more and more men -- liberals and moderates alike -- are opening their minds to the idea of female participation in national leadership roles. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES