VZCZCXRO4369
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #1767 2561352
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 131352Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3591
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS CAIRO 001767 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL KPAO EG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS EGYPTIAN RELIGIOUS INTELLECTUALS 
AS FOLLOW-UP TO THE PRESIDENT,S CAIRO SPEECH 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  On August 12, the Ambassador hosted a lunch 
for intellectual leaders from Egypt,s Muslim community, as 
follow-up to President Obama,s June 2009 Cairo speech. 
Spirited discussion took place on how to facilitate continued 
dialogue.   Guests stressed the need to engage the American 
public with information about moderate Islam and the 
importance of a comprehensive solution to the 
Israel/Palestine conflict.  Participants appeared uniformly 
pleased to have the opportunity to discuss ways to improve 
understanding between Americans and the Egyptian and 
worldwide Muslim communities. 
 
¶2.  (U)Participants included: 
-     Dr. Mohamed Al Shahat Al Gindy, Secretary General, 
Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs; 
-     Dr. Tayseeir Mandoor, Director, Department of 
Psychology, Al Azhar University; School of Medicine and 
member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; 
-     Dr. Amna Nosseir professor of Islamic Jurisprudence at 
Al Azhar University and member of the Supreme Council for 
Islamic Affairs; 
-     Sheik Ibrahim Reda, imam of Cairo,s Al Haqeen Mosque 
and host of Islamic affairs segment of television program 
&Good Morning Egypt;8 
-     Dr. Suad Saleh, professor of comparative jurisprudence 
at Al Azhar University; 
-     Dr. Ali Al Samman, member of the Supreme Council for 
Islamic Affairs; 
-     Sheik Ahmed Turki, imam at Al Nour Mosque, Cairo. 
-     Dr. Fawzey Al Zifzaf,  member of Al Azhar,s Islamic 
Research Council; 
-     Ambassador Nermin Wafiq,  Deputy Assistant Minister for 
Cultural and Religious Affairs; 
-     Dr. Fawzey Al Zifzaf,  member of Al Azhar,s Islamic 
Research Council; 
-     Dr. Ahmed Kamal Aboul Magd, Vice-president of the 
National Council for Human Rights and a member of the Islamic 
Research Council; 
-     Dr. Fadel Soliman, Director of the Bridges Foundation; 
-     Nesreen Gom,aa, author. 
 
¶4.    (U) On August 12, following up on President Obama,s 
Cairo speech, the Ambassador hosted a lunch with key Egyptian 
religious leaders.   Guests remarked that President Obama 
does not depict Islam as a problem.  Several noted President 
Obama,s readiness to highlight the positive contribution of 
individuals from the Islamic world.  Guests remarked on the 
change of tone towards the Islamic community.  The majority 
of guests cited this change in tone as the most important 
outcome of President Obama,s speech. 
 
¶5.    (U) Participants suggested a number of ideas to promote 
dialogue between the US and the worldwide Muslim community. 
Some suggestions were very local in nature and could be 
implemented immediately, such as expanding the "English for 
Imams" program (managed by Embassy Cairo).  Guests also 
expressed  interest in expanded student exchange programs. 
Others ideas were more complex, such as the request to 
address a perceived bias against Islam in U.S. schools. 
 
¶6.    (U) The most strident discussion surrounded the 
worldwide Muslim community,s desire for a solution to the 
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Several guests spoke 
passionately about the need for the U.S. to commit to 
effectively addressing the conflict.  The perceived need for 
"justice" for the Palestinian people was presented as an 
essential condition for both regional stability and 
restoration of America's standing in the eyes of the 
worldwide Muslim community.  Several suggested that 
meaningful engagement will be difficult absent a 
comprehensive Middle East peace. 
Scobey