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O 150838Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1192
INFO GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
AMCONSUL DHAHRAN IMMEDIATE 
AMCONSUL JEDDAH IMMEDIATE

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 
--------- 
 
¶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