Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH799
2009-06-16 11:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDI RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: TAIF CHRISTIANS UNHINDERED
how-toVZCZCXRO0607 OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHROV DE RUEHRH #0799 1671107 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 161107Z JUN 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0995 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN IMMEDIATE 0107 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE 0185
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000799
SIPDIS
FOR DRL-IRF OFFICER ZAIBACK AND NEA/ARP HARRIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SA SOCI KIRF
SUBJECT: SAUDI RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: TAIF CHRISTIANS UNHINDERED
REF: A. RIYADH 1162
B. RIYADH 1211
C. JEDDAH 1620
Classified By:
CDA Ambassador Richard Erdman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000799
SIPDIS
FOR DRL-IRF OFFICER ZAIBACK AND NEA/ARP HARRIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SA SOCI KIRF
SUBJECT: SAUDI RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: TAIF CHRISTIANS UNHINDERED
REF: A. RIYADH 1162
B. RIYADH 1211
C. JEDDAH 1620
Classified By:
CDA Ambassador Richard Erdman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) TAIF CHRISTIANS FREE TO WORSHIP
In two separate meetings on June 9 and 14, Embassy Indian
Christian contacts confirmed that the 14 Taif Christians
threatened with deportation in July/August 2008 have been
left alone by the Saudi government (Reftel A, B and C).
Advised by fellow Christians to take extra precautions in
order to maintain a low-profile, the Taif Christians took
steps including changing residences so as to not arouse
suspicion among neighbors and local authorities as to why
they were never deported. The Taif Christians continue to
worship in private and conduct small-scale, weekly prayer
services at various private residences, and they have faced
no further restrictions on private worship.
ERDMAN
SIPDIS
FOR DRL-IRF OFFICER ZAIBACK AND NEA/ARP HARRIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SA SOCI KIRF
SUBJECT: SAUDI RELIGIOUS FREEDOM: TAIF CHRISTIANS UNHINDERED
REF: A. RIYADH 1162
B. RIYADH 1211
C. JEDDAH 1620
Classified By:
CDA Ambassador Richard Erdman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) TAIF CHRISTIANS FREE TO WORSHIP
In two separate meetings on June 9 and 14, Embassy Indian
Christian contacts confirmed that the 14 Taif Christians
threatened with deportation in July/August 2008 have been
left alone by the Saudi government (Reftel A, B and C).
Advised by fellow Christians to take extra precautions in
order to maintain a low-profile, the Taif Christians took
steps including changing residences so as to not arouse
suspicion among neighbors and local authorities as to why
they were never deported. The Taif Christians continue to
worship in private and conduct small-scale, weekly prayer
services at various private residences, and they have faced
no further restrictions on private worship.
ERDMAN