SAUDIS CONTINUE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL PUSH

UNCLAS RIYADH 000922


FOR NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND DRL/IRF AZAIBACK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDIS CONTINUE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL PUSH
FOR TOLERANCE AND DIALOGUE

REF: A. RIYADH 1780

B. RIYADH 1170

C. RIYADH 1270

D. MADRID 799

E. RIYADH 1035


SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) As part its "War of Ideas" campaign to combat
extremism and in the context of its overall reform programs,
the SAG continued its campaign to promote national dialogue
and tolerance through a 3-day forum for cultural dialogue
trainers. In a keynote address, Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti
called for "acceptance of other viewpoints." Government
ministers and religious figures echoed the Grand Mufti's
message aimed at shaping public opinion away from extremism.
Additionally, the King launched a program to encourage
dialogue between foreign and Saudi students. Meanwhile, a
Saudi delegation promoted the King's Interfaith Dialogue
Initiative (IDI) at an ecumenical conference in Kazakhstan.
END SUMMARY.



2. (U) The King launched a 3-day, ten-session forum July 4
at the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND)
for trainers certified in the promotion of cultural dialogue.
The forum provided high-level public reinforcement of the
King's national dialogue agenda to promote tolerance of
diverse opinions, and a culture of dialogue and moderation in
Saudi Arabia to curb extremism. The forum also sought to use
new means of communication between KACND and different
segments of society. According to KACND Secretary General
Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Mu'ammar, the Center's 1,200 plus
certified trainers have conducted 2,677 training programs and
workshops on "the culture and importance of open dialogue and
communication skills," for over 150,000 men and women.
Mu'ammar also noted that an equal number of men and women
participated in the July forum.


INFLUENTIAL LEADERS PROMOTE DIALOGUE,
TOLERANCE, VIGOROUS SOCIAL DEBATE
--------------


3. (U) In a speech entitled "The Islamic Principles of
Dialogue," Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz
Al-Asheikh, called for "cooperation and acceptance of other
viewpoints if society is to prosper," while highlighting
communication barriers with the younger generation and the
influential role of media on society. Minister of Culture
and Information Abdul Aziz Al-Khojah also discussed how the
media can promote a culture of dialogue. He raised the
possibility of developing a special TV channel which would
promote national dialogue, to help encourage healthy and
vigorous social debate on questions of tolerance. He
continued by saying new media such as Facebook, blogs,
internet radio, television and digital literature have
signaled "the end of one voice, one opinion and one color."


4. (U) Noura Al-Fayez, Deputy Minister of Girls' Education,
expressed her belief that although diversity is part of human
nature, dialogue has the ability to bridge differing points
of view. Addressing a session on "Integrated Roles of the
Ministry of Education (MOE) and Universities in Promoting
Dialogue," Al-Fayez indicated the MOE's strong support for
national dialogue had been expressed in a new five-year
collaboration agreement between the KACND and the MOE.


5. (SBU) Sheikh Saleh Al-Asheikh, Minister of Islamic
Affairs (MOIA) stressed the importance of mosques in
promoting dialogue, in particular the crucial role of imams
and sermon leaders (or khateebs). He pointed to training and
educational programs available to all clerics to equip them
with the necessary knowledge and tools to promote dialogue
and tolerance while curbing extremism (Note: MOIA began a
program in 2003 to monitor imams and khateebs for extreme and
intolerant language. End Note). Other speakers echoing
similar themes included Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, Minister
of Education, Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Chairman of the Shoura
Council, and Princess Al-Jawharah Bint Fahd Al Saud,
President of the Princess Noura Bint Abdul Rahman University
for women.


6. (U) In a contemporaneous interview with Okaz newspaper,
Dr. Azzam Shuweir, Chairman of the Committee for Evaluating
Imams and Sermon Leaders in the MOIA announced that a number
of clerics have been terminated for reasons including
provocative language, extremist ideas, poor health and
negligence of mosques (Note: MOIA claims that since 2003,
over 3,200 clerics have been dismissed. End Note). However,
Dr. Shuweir asserted that over 90% of imams and khateebs
adhere to MOIA rules and very few commit mistakes/violations
that lead to dismissal. He highlighted the tight controls in
place to monitor mosques and clerics including intensive (and
often surprise) visits by members of his committee and review
of Friday sermons and training courses. He noted, however,
that removing sermon leaders was not easy as a number of
procedures and approvals are needed.


7. (U) In a separate but related step, Saudi authorities
have publicly floated the idea of establishing a hot line for
citizens to report any clerics spreading extremist messages
or using intolerant language in their mosques.


TARGETING THE YOUTH
--------------


8. (U) The King recently launched a new program at the KACND
called the "Safeer" (Arabic for Ambassador) program which
aims to promote dialogue between "young" foreigners and
Saudis with an emphasis on students. This is the first time
a national dialogue program has included Saudis and
foreigners. Thus far, Japanese, British and Indian students
have participated in dialogue sessions with their Saudi
counterparts. The sessions mainly focus on cultural issues
such as the latest movies and music. A contact from the
Japanese Embassy active with the KACND commented that the
program is "not mature" and still in its "infancy," but hopes
future sessions might develop into deeper discussions that
focus on politics, religion and education and will include
adults as well.


INTERFAITH DIALOGUE INITIATIVE SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSHED
-------------- --------------


9. (U) The national dialogue forum began two days after a
six-member Saudi delegation headed by Shoura Chairman
Al-Asheikh attended a July 1-2 International Inter-Religious
Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan. Over 600 delegates representing
various faiths, countries and international organizations
attended. In his statement to the Forum, Al-Sheikh stressed
the importance of dialogue contributing to increased and more
effective cooperation and co-existence of countries.
Al-Asheikh also issued a press statement highlighting the
significance of the interfaith dialogue conferences
patronized by King Abdullah in Mecca, Madrid, and New York,
stating, "the Saudi leadership is keen on effective
cooperation in all constructive efforts in this respect"
(Reftel).


COMMENT
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10. (SBU) The mix of high-level government and religious
officials speaking at the 3-day cultural dialogue forum
highlights the continued efforts by the King and the KACND to
impress the concepts of tolerance and dialogue on Saudi
public consciousness. The SAG may see the younger generation
as the best starting point in generating dialogue and
building bridges between Saudis and foreigners. The Astana
event provided an opportunity for the Saudis to keep
attention focused on the King's Interfaith Dialogue
Initiative. The discourse envisioned by the national
dialogue has a different focus than that of the IDI, but the
message of tolerance is the same, and the two processes
remain complementary parts of the King's effort to defeat
extremism thinking at home and anti-Islamic thinking abroad.

ERDMAN