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