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

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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"

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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

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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