VZCZCXRO2695
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHAM #2523 3231313
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191313Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6309
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS AMMAN 002523 
 
SIPDIS, SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  DECL: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KIRF SOCI JO
SUBJECT: JORDAN: CONTROVERSIAL RELIGIOUS SIGNS APPEAR ON AMMAN'S 
STREETS 
 
REF: A) AMMAN 2452, B) AMMAN 2385, C) AMMAN 2227, D) 08 AMMAN 2973, 
E) 08 AMMAN 1395 
 
 
¶1. (U) Controversial religious signs with statements, such as "know 
that you will die", "headscarf or suffer" and "never look at women," 
have appeared throughout Amman during Autumn 2009.    The signs are 
posted in areas with heavy traffic and can be found on electricity 
poles, traffic lights, and near advertisement billboards.  The 
organization or individual(s) behind the signs remain unknown but 
the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has stated it is investigating 
the matter.  The Director of GAM's municipal department calls the 
signs "illegal" because they violate regulations regarding 
promotions and because no permission to post such signs was 
requested or granted. 
 
¶2. (U) The signs, which local media started to cover on November 15, 
have generated significant attention and even debate.  The media has 
largely commented that the signs are "terrorizing" citizens.  Most 
individuals interviewed believe, despite the intended impact, that 
the signs do not promote a positive view of religious beliefs.  A 
20-year-old student, quoted in an article in Al Ghad newspaper, 
believes that the signs would actually scare people away or spread 
ideas that have nothing to do with religion.  Many others appear to 
agree and believe that if the author(s) wanted citizens to become 
closer to their religion then less drastic or threatening 
expressions should be used instead.  Other citizens have expressed 
concern that the signs will promote extremism or even terrorism 
among Jordan's youth. 
 
¶3. (U) Not everyone agrees, however, that the signs are harmful. 
Shari'a law professor, Dr. Hamdi Murad, believes that the signs 
serve as a good warning for people to "beware of the fires of hell," 
as long as they conform to Islamic teachings.  Murad cites a Koranic 
verse to back his stance that recommends wisdom and advice be 
combined with persuasion to show the path to God and potential 
wrath.  The Muslim Brotherhood(MB) denies posting the signs but has 
criticized the city for paying close attention to the signs and not 
other advertisements that are "harmful to public taste."  MB 
Controller General, Dr. Hammam Sa'id, has publically stated that 
those responsible for the signs will be rewarded as they remind 
people of life and death. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Comment: The appearance of these religious signs on Amman's 
streets has exposed generally concealed differences within Jordanian 
society regarding religious dialogue and beliefs.  The signs 
highlight the royal family's and government's continued challenge of 
balancing the public's competing views and concerns without 
potentially destabilizing certain segments of Jordanian society. End 
Comment. 
 
BEECROFT