Mecca's First African-Saudi Imam

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 000288

SIPDIS

Department FOR NEA/ARP FOR HARRIS AND DRL FOR HICKEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINS PTER SA
SUBJECT: Mecca's First African-Saudi Imam


1. SUMMARY & COMMENT: Media attention given to the Mecca Grand
Mosque's first African-Saudi Imam, Adil al-Kalbani, provided a
glimpse of King Abdullah's attempts to combat racism and promote
openness among the Kingdom's senior clergy by giving national
prominence to a talented, somewhat unorthodox but popular outsider.
The timing of a major interview in the Arabic daily, Al-Hayat,
seemed to be an attempt to take advantage of popular interest in the
inauguration of the first black US president to illustrate a similar
"success story" in Saudi Arabia. Kalbani displayed greater openness
on social issues such as music and television comedies than many of
his peers. The Imam's difficulties since his appointment ended
suggest cultural and racial barriers remain persistent. End summary
and comment.


2. THE OBAMA EFFECT: The first African-Saudi to be asked to
officiate at Tarawih Prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca during the
holy month of Ramadan, Sheikh Adil al-Kalbani has found himself in
the Arabic media spotlight since the inauguration of Barack Obama.
(Comment: There are 10 permanent imams, or prayer leaders, at the
Grand Mosque in Mecca. During Ramadan several additional imams are
invited to help handle the extra evening prayers; such invitations
are obviously considered to be a high honor. End comment.) The
advent of the first black American president has prompted discussion
and debate on the topic of racism in the Arab world, and brought
attention to indigenous figures such as Kalbani. In a prominent
two-part interview published in the Arabic daily Al-Hayat at the
time of the inauguration, Kalbani was asked for his opinion of the
new US President. He replied that Obama's inauguration was very
important to him because Obama was an African American who had
succeeded in becoming president "despite his Islamic roots." Thus
America had succeeded "in implementing the Islamic rule to treat all
people equally regardless of their race, color, or religion."


3. A PREACHER BORN IN JAIL: Kalbani, the son of Sudanese
immigrants who was born in Riyadh in 1959, did not receive formal
religious training or a university education. A blue collar worker
at King Khalid International Airport, he was jailed for debts around

1980. In prison he first memorized the Quran (the Saudi prison
system offers parole to certain classes of inmates who memorize the
Quran),and his flair and technical skill in recitation caught the
attention of visiting imams, who encouraged him to pursue religious
studies. Though he never earned a formal certificate, he developed
into an inspirational prayer leader under the tutelage of several
leading Riyadh clerics, and ultimately won a position as the leading
imam at the prestigious King Khalid Mosque, under the patronage of
the sons of the mosque's eponymous royal founder. There he built a
large following, with thousands in attendance at Friday and Ramadan
prayers (including several among the Embassy's locally-engaged
staff, who report that Kalbani is extraordinary in his ability to
recite not only with stirring emotion, but also without any errors
in pronunciation of the notoriously difficult classical Arabic
verses.) His fame eventually attracted the notice of King Abdallah,
well known for his love of Quranic recitation.


4. RACE IN SAUDI ARABIA: Kalbani told Al-Hayat he was not bothered
by comparisons to President Obama - that both of them have
accomplished a "miracle" because they are black. Kalbani said that
he was surprised by his appointment because being an imam at the
Grand Mosque in Mecca was not among his goals. He had always
assumed that a black man could never attain such a position. He
would forever be grateful to King Abdallah for "changing his mind"
and "implementing equality among Saudi citizens," and seeking to
eradicate racism in Saudi Arabia. Despite this, Kalbani observed
that racism and tribalism still exist, citing as an example that a
"pure" Saudi man might not accept to sit next to a Bangladeshi
worker in public. Kalbani asserted that such behavior existed even
among religious scholars, acknowledging that he occasionally felt he
was the victim of discrimination. Addressing the question of
whether his race had been an impediment in Mecca, Kalbani said that
while some might resent him because he was black and lacking
religious credentials, he had nevertheless been asked to lead
prayers on the 27th night of Ramadan, considered the most holy of
nights of the holy month, a very special honor.


5. GAZA: Addressing public anger over the Israeli war on Gaza,
Kalbani professed deep sympathy for the people of Gaza, and shame at
Arab impotence. He voiced support for Hamas, claiming its
performance in the face of Israeli aggression amounted to a
"victory." But he said that the Muslim nations are not ready for
jihad yet.


6. OPPOSED TO EXTREMISTS?: Asked about his ideological
orientation, Kalbani claimed to be the first cleric to use his real
name on internet websites, before the emergence of radical
extremists and "their explosions." He added that his criticisms of
their arguments earned him their enmity and charges that he was a
"government hireling." Kalbani mentioned that he followed the
teachings of the late Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdalaziz Bin Baz and
the late Sheikh Muhammad bin Salih Bin Uthaimeen, a leading Salafist
cleric from Qassim. (Comment: while these men were not extremists,
neither was known for particularly moderate views. End comment.)

RIYADH 00000288 002 OF 002




7. LAUGHTER AND A SONG: In what might be seen as an attempt to
present a contrast to the dour image of the typical Saudi cleric,
Kalbani was asked for his opinion on TV shows and other popular
pursuits usually frowned on by the religious establishment. Kalbani
was critical of the "Mutawaiin," (i.e., the religious police,
members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention
of Vice) for preventing the broadcast of some of the episodes of the
very popular Ramadan comedy, "Tash Ma Tash," saying that he saw no
harm in these episodes for Muslims. As for other forms of
entertainment, he went on to describe with laughter an incident when
a critic warned people against following him (Kalbani) in prayers,
on the grounds that he was a "listener of Umm Koulthum and Mohammad
Abduh" (two of the Arab world's most beloved singers) who didn't
prohibit singing. Kalbani admitted to enjoying music, especially
music of the tambourine, at weddings and other special occasions.
(Comment: Many very strict Salafis eschew all forms of music and
related entertainment. End comment.)


8. THE PRICE OF FAME: His Mecca appointment was for Ramadan in
2008 (1429 H) only, and Kalbani didn't say whether he had been asked
to lead prayers again next Ramadan. His acceptance of the
appointment was apparently not well-received by his patrons at King
Khalid Mosque in Riyadh, where he lost his position. He has
announced that he had accepted an appointment as Imam at another,
smaller Riyadh mosque, though he retains his following both among
attendees at Friday prayers and on the internet, where his
recitations can be viewed on such sites as YouTube. He also
confessed to being a part time businessman, since as he explained,
he didn't have an official job and "Imams don't make as much money
as some people may think." Kalbani is the father of twelve
children.

RUNDELL