VZCZCXRO3658
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #4640/01 3470828
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130828Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7873
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004640 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP (BJACKSON), NEA/PPD (DBENZE), IIP/NEA/SCA 
(SLECHTENBER-KASTEN), IIP/G/IR (MBRYANT) 
ABU DHABI FOR IRO CARLA HIGGINS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL XF KU ISLAMISTS
SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION: SSI SPEAKER IMAM SOHAIB SULTAN VISIT TO 
KUWAIT, SEPTEMBER 17-20, 2006 
 
¶1.  FY06Q4 GPRA SUMMARY: Trinity College's Imam Sohaib Sultan 
visited Kuwait as a Strategic Speaker Initiative spokesperson 
conducting a four-day tour from September 16 - 20, 2006.  Imam 
Sultan discussed the status and history of Muslims in America, with 
diverse audiences, including more than 250 students at the Universal 
American (High) School, American University of Kuwait (AUK), Gulf 
University for Sciences and Technology (GUST) and Kuwait 
University's College of Arts, History and Social Sciences.  Imam 
Sultan also met with officials at the Kuwait Ministry of Awqaf and 
Islamic Affairs and with Muslim leaders and intellectuals at a 
special gathering hosted by the Deputy Chief of Mission at his 
residence.  He stressed moderation in Islam and the importance of 
dialogue and linking people from America and the Islamic world. 
Imam Sultan delivered a moving address at the Post's Alumni USA 
event, took part in a press roundtable, and appeared on Al-Rai 
satellite TV.  Positive coverage of the roundtable discussion and 
other events appeared in all Arabic and English Kuwaiti dailies. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
Encouraging Dialogue and Understanding 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  Imam Sultan spoke on multiple topics including the history of 
Islam in the U.S., American-Muslim organizations, contemporary 
scholarship among American-Muslim scholars, moderation in Islam, and 
interfaith dialogue. 
 
¶3.  On September 17, Imam Sultan addressed a group of 160 high 
school students and teachers at the Universal American School.  He 
spoke about the challenges of growing up in today's world, stressing 
the need for interfaith dialogue and improving relations between 
people in the east in the west, as both have profound misconceptions 
about the other.  The students asked a barrage of diverse and 
thoughtful questions, showing their interest and connection with the 
speaker, including challenging the legitimacy of suicide bombings. 
Imam Sultan argued that they are antithetical to Islamic teaching 
and, therefore, are forbidden.  Regarding the Pope's comments, the 
Hartford Seminary master's degree candidate on Christian-Muslim 
relations encouraged Muslims to accept the Pope's apology and enter 
into a dialogue to maintain the beneficial ties generally held 
between Muslim and Catholics in America, and on the 
Palestinian-Israeli crises. 
 
Opening New Doors 
----------------- 
 
¶4.  Imam Sultan also visited the Quran Learning and Recitation 
Center in the distant town of Sulaybikhat.  Arranged by the Ministry 
of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, this was the first such visit by 
Embassy Officers or visitors.  He observed the Quranic recitation 
classes and spoke with the center's leaders about the goals and 
purpose of their programs.  He also had a series of high-level 
meetings at Kuwait's state Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. 
He met with the Assistant Undersecretary for Hajj Affairs and the 
Head of Fatwa and Research at the Ministry. They informed the 
visitor of the GOK's conference for American Muslim leaders on 
moderation in Islam in Washington, D.C., November 17-19, 2006. 
 
Tackling Tough Questions 
------------------------ 
 
¶5.  Imam Sultan delivered lectures at the History Department and 
Shari'a College as well as a discourse at the American Corner at 
Kuwait University, which was attended by a record number of more 
than 50 male and female students.  He also spoke at the private 
American University of Kuwait (AUK) and over 40 students and faculty 
attended his lecture at Gulf University for Science and Technology 
(GUST).  Questions focused on perceived anti-Muslim policies in 
America, such as wire-tapping and racial profiling.  Imam Sultan 
explained that these issues were under debate in America as well and 
that the American-Muslim community has been outspoken in defending 
the rights of Muslims through institutions such as the Council on 
American-Islamic Relations (www.cairnet.org), and that 
American-Muslims have the right and freedom to disagree with certain 
U.S. government policies. 
 
Linking East and West 
--------------------- 
 
¶6.  Imam Sultan took part in a special "diwaniya" gathering at the 
Deputy Chief of Mission's Residence attended by an audience of 20 
influential and conservative Muslims (including conservative 
"Islamist" leaders and writers.)  Imam Sultan described the 
development of Muslim thought in America and contemporary trends, 
which includes a rise and return to traditional teachings.  He cited 
organizations such as the Zaytuna and Nawawi Foundations, as new 
centers dedicated to reviving traditional scholarship based on the 
concept of moderation as a requirement in Islamic teaching.  He also 
 
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met with liberal leaders of the Kuwait Youth Organization to 
encourage them to reach out to their peers in the U.S. to increase 
mutual understanding between Americans and Kuwaitis. 
 
Message of Tolerance Receives a Welcoming Response 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶7.  A young, soft-spoken and appealing speaker, Imam Sultan easily 
connected with Post's target audiences of all ages.  The questions 
and answers session at lectures lasted longer than expected, and he 
often lingered after programs ended to discuss ideas with students 
hungering for answers to a range of critical questions.  He 
successfully delivered the message that Muslims in America have full 
rights, the friendship of other religious groups, and the number of 
Muslims in America continues to grow and integrate well with 
American society--ideas often in question in the Muslim world 
outside of the U.S. 
 
...And, Outstanding Media Coverage 
---------------------------------- 
¶8. Overall, press coverage of the Imam's visit was excellent, 
including broad reporting of his roundtable discussion with 
journalists, his university lectures and his visit to the Ministry 
of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. 
 
09/19/06  The Daily Star  p. 2  1/8 page 
09/19/06  Kuwait Times  p. 6  1/8 page 
09/19/06  Arab Times  p. 3  1/8 page  1 photo 
09/19/06  Al-Seyassah  p. 8  1/4 page  1 photo 
09/19/06  Al-Anbaa  p. 12  1/2 page  2 photos 
09/19/06  Al-Watan  p. 12  1/2 page  1 photo 
09/19/06  Al-Rai Al-Aam  p. 20  1/2 page  1 photo 
09/19/06  Al-Qabas  p. 10  1/2 page  2 photos 
09/21/06  Al-Anbaa  p. 19  1/16 page  1 photo 
09/21/06  Arab Times  p. 2  1/4 page  1 photo 
09/21/06  Al-Qabas  p. 14  1/4 page  2 photos 
09/21/06  Al-Seyassah  p. 9  1/4 page  1 photo 
09/28/06  Kuwait Times  p. 3  1/8 page  1 photo 
 
Superb Choice of Speaker 
------------------------ 
 
¶9.  Post thanks IIP/G/NEA for arranging Imam Sultan's visit to 
Kuwait, as a U.S. Strategic Initiative Speaker.  His extended 
five-day program coincided with the visit of Dr. Sarah Brewer from 
American University, and other Public Affairs programs, including 
the Embassy's USG Program Alumni Networking Event held on September 
¶17.  This took place during the first week of the academic year and 
a few days before the start of Ramadan.  Imam Sultan was an engaging 
and enthusiastic interlocutor for Kuwaiti target audiences as well 
as an exceptional active listener.  PA Kuwait highly recommends Imam 
Sultan to other posts in the region. 
 
LEBARON