GRAND IMAM VOICES SUPPORT FOR U.S. VALUES AND SAYS CONGOLESE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000076 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO PHUM SOCI KIRF KISL CG SUBJECT: GRAND IMAM VOICES SUPPORT FOR U.S. VALUES AND SAYS CONGOLESE MUSLIMS DO NOT WANT FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS' ASSISTANCE REF: 1/7 AF/PD EMAIL TO AF PAOS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) national Islamic organization will focus specifically on promoting the positive and peaceful attributes of Islam, and will not veer into political issues, according to the country's leading Muslim leader, Grand Imam Abdala Mangala Luaba. While Luaba is concerned by the impact of poverty in breeding radical tendencies, he notes that the tolerant nature of the Congolese Islamic faith will reduce the chances of extremist tendencies emerging in the DRC. The Imam, who has indicated his strong support for U.S. values and the policies of the Obama administration, will continue to play an active role in regional Islamic organizations and activities, but has rejected support from foreign governments. End summary. Embassy outreach to Congolese Muslim communities -------------- -------------- -- ¶2. (U) Embassy Kinshasa is exploring opportunities to enhance outreach to the DRC's Muslim population, which roughly accounts for five to seven percent of the country's population. The mission already reaches out to Muslim youth populations in Kinshasa through the English Access Micro-scholarship Program. To complement these efforts, and to amplify the President's Cairo message and recent remarks on airline security, APAO met with Abdala Mangala Luaba, Grand Imam of the Congolese Islamic Organization of the DRC (COMICO) January 14 to pass along the President's January 7 remarks, and highlight the NSC talking points on Global Muslim Engagement (per reftel). ¶3. (U) Luaba thanked APAO for the remarks, and noted that COMICO continues to appreciate USG support for Koranic schools in Kinshasa through the English Access program. He also encouraged opportunities for greater U.S. involvement in Congolese Muslim communities, and greater collaboration and engagement between COMICO and the Embassy. Most Congolese Muslims, according to the Imam, were supportive of U.S. policies, and appreciated President Obama's remarks on relations between the United States and the Muslim world. Luaba himself pointed out that he respected the need for the United States to prioritize the security of the American people, and would help in any way to highlight the President's 
January 7 remarks. Congolese Muslims "Small but Significant" -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) The Imam also explained the presence and views of the Congolese Muslim population. While the population of Muslims is fairly small, there are large concentrations in Maniema, particularly in the areas around Kasongo (where 40% of the population is of the Islamic faith). At the same time, 20-25% of the population in Kisangani and surrounding areas in Province Orientale are Muslim. Kisangani, according to the Imam, is also the birthplace of the COMICO organization. ¶5. (SBU) Luaba highlighted the fact that Congolese Muslims are traditionally rooted in the Kadria school of Islam, which adheres to Sufi perspectives of tolerance and pacifism. As a result, he and other leading clerics affiliated with COMICO have continued to preach messages that focus on positive aspects of Islam, and have denounced violent activity in the name of religion. COMICO also has authority to restrict the activities of foreign Islamic representatives. Nevertheless, Luaba opined that radicalization of individuals is always a possibility in areas with rampant poverty. KINSHASA 00000076 002 OF 002 He pointed out that the lack of basic social services and infrastructure in Kasongo combined with the lack of investment in the area by the GDRC may impact the perception of audiences toward their government and the West in the long-term. To curb any possibility of extremist elements influencing these vulnerable areas, the Imam encouraged the U.S. and others to explore opportunities to assist in the development of the region. Foreign activities in the DRC -------------- ¶6. (SBU) To highlight his point, he referred to the October 2009 visit by a high-level Iranian delegation to Kinshasa, during which COMICO was approached with the promise of Iranian development assistance for Kasongo and other impoverished Muslim communities in the DRC. Luaba stated he declined the offer for Iranian investment, and asked the delegation to speak directly to Congolese authorities. As he noted, "Islam in Congo would stay away from potentially contentious political issues." ¶7. (SBU) Prior to concluding the meeting, Luaba noted the upcoming conference (which he will chair) of east African Islamic leaders that will take place February 2-3 in Kinshasa. As the theme of the conference will focus on "gender rights in the context of Islam in sub-Saharan Africa," the Imam expressed hope the conference would act as an indication of the priority placed by African Muslims for the respect of women in communities. Luaba also pointed out that while the Government of Libya and Libyan Islamic charities had supported funding for past conferences among African Islamic leaders, COMICO would explore funding from other sources. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: By all appearances the Imam is a strong proponent of presenting a positive image of the United States and the current administration to Congolese Muslim audiences. Embassy Kinshasa will continue to engage with him to take a pulse of the views of COMICO and Muslims audiences toward U.S. policy. End comment. BROCK