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FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RIYADH 001133 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/PPD (DBENZE, PAGNEW); INR/R/MR; INR/NESA, RRU-NEA; 
NEA/ARP; NEA/RA; PA; R; DRL 
LONDON FOR SREEBNY 
DUBAI FOR PELLETIER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KMDR KPAO KDEM PHUM SA
SUBJECT:  Saudi Arabia:  Media Reaction to the Madrid Interfaith 
Dialogue Conference 
 
REF:  RIYADH 1090, RIYADH 1070 
 
¶1. Summary and comment:  The Madrid Interfaith Dialogue Conference 
provided Saudi press with an excellent opportunity to advance King 
Abdullah's agenda of promoting interfaith dialogue and religious 
tolerance among the broader Saudi society.  Highlights include a 
commentary by a prominent editor who emphasized no single religion 
can dominate the world.  Editorials underscored King Abdullah's 
vision, leadership and bold initiative to call for and organize this 
important conference.  Unique in the local press, English language 
daily Saudi Gazette noted the unscheduled presentation by the only 
female conference speaker and underscored the absence of women at 
the conference and in leading religious circles.  Comment:  The 
local media coverage of this conference, including healthy 
commentaries and editorials in all major dailies, has positively 
contributed to softening mistrust existing between followers of 
different faiths.  End summary and comment. 
 
¶2.  Key editorials and commentaries (chronological): 
 
--In "Dialogue Not Clashes", Jeddah-based moderate Al-Bilad (7/12) 
editorialized, "The conference took place at a time when the world 
is suffering from pains of war and violence that do not belong to 
any religion or sect.  [These pains] can be uprooted only through 
peaceful coexistence between people and with dialogue, not clashes." 
 
 
--In "A Conference for Welfare of Humanity", Jeddah-based 
conservative Okaz (7/15) opined, "King Abdullah's call for the 
conference opened a new era in human history." 
 
--In "Building Bridges between Faiths", an editorial by English 
language daily Arab News (7/15) noted, "Our humanity provides the 
foundation on which interfaith dialogue and respect can be built." 
 
--In "Dialogue Instead of Conflict", Jeddah-based conservative daily 
Al-Madina (7/16) wrote, "The conference is a practical and pragmatic 
response to claims of Fukuyama, Samuel Huntington, Bernard Lewis and 
others who advocate clashes of civilizations." 
 
--An Al-Hayat (7/16) commentary by prominent Saudi journalist and 
liberal writer Dawood Al-Shiryan noted: "The conference would 
attract media and political attention not realized if [it had been] 
convened in an Arab or Islamic country...[however] the Madrid venue 
allows free discussion and debate." 
 
--In "Interfaith Dialogue in Madrid", Abha-based moderate Al-Watan 
(7/16) wrote "Participants should make use of this historical event 
linked to this conference. They should realize the responsibility in 
adopting language of calm dialogue, acceptance, and mutual respect 
which will result in spreading foundations of peace around the 
world." 
 
--In "The Dialogue for Welfare of Humanity"", Jeddah-based moderate 
Okaz (7/17) remarked King Abdullah's address before the conference 
"was not a political speech but rather a humanitarian one." 
 
--Another Al-Hayat (7/17) commentary by prominent Saudi journalist 
and liberal writer Dawood Al-Shiryan observed, "Regrettably, this 
international gathering witnessed the remarkable absence of Muslim 
scholars."  He added, "...the participation of Christian, Jewish and 
other faiths' spiritual leaders was remarkable and significant. The 
lack of interest among some Muslim scholars shows dissatisfaction 
with the goals of this conference." 
 
--Influential editor-in-chiefof conservative Al-Riyadh (7/19) Turki 
Al-Sedair wrote: "Participants were aware that conflict amog 
religions must end because there is no room fo a single religion to 
dominate the world.  The cnference demonstrated that extremism is 
not a dee-rooted Islamic behavior and is unacceptable to Mulims. 
Had they participated, [the Muslims] who filed to attend the 
conference would not have fel animosity towards them." 
 
--In "Restore the Digity of Women - Theologians," Muhammed Shoukany 
wrte in English language daily Saudi Gazette (7/19) ...when one 
delegate asked, 'Where are the women' To this, Saleh Bin Humaid, 
Chairman of the Saui Shoura Council replied, 'You theologians don'tusually include women in your hierarchy.  Include tem and then we 
will invite them.'" 
 
--English anguage daily Arab News (7/19) wrote, "Greater awaeness 
of the beliefs and attitudes of other reliions will help take away 
the suspicions harboredalmost automatically for those who are seen 
to coe from different cultures and backgrounds." 
 
RIYADH 00001133  002.3 OF 002 
 
 
 
--In "Madrid Declaration ... Message to History" Dammam-based 
moderate Al-Yaum (7/20) opined: "The world is currently passing 
through a real crisis, a crisis of mistrust between followers of 
religions or civilizations.  The Madrid Declaration could lead to 
salvation of the human community, with support of the UN." 
 
¶3.  Conclusion and comment: Editorials focused on national issues 
and related to King Abdullah's call for tolerance and moderation. 
Predictably, the print media effectively promoted the government's 
programs of advocating moderation.  We did not see any negative 
commentary on this initiative of the King.  End comment and 
conclusion. 
GFOELLER