UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000125
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, AND IIP/G/NEA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO, SOCI, MU, International Relations, Public Affairs, U.S.-Oman Relations
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: HAMAS VICTORY, AMERICANS INSULTING ISLAM,
CONTINUED DANISH CARTOONS CONTROVERSY
1. Summary: The Omani Internet message board "al-Sablah" is the
liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic-language forum for
political and social discourse in the country, touching on issues
and personalities rarely addressed in the conventional media.
While not totally free, nor wholly reflective of Omani public
opinion, this popular site nevertheless offers a worthwhile
window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of the day.
This edition of Oman Online contains the following topics:
-- Hamas Victory's Implications for U.S.- Omani Relations
-- Allegations of Americans Insulting Islam
-- Continuing Discussion of Danish Cartoons
End summary.
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Allegations of Americans Insulting Islam
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2. Al-Sabla reported multiple allegations of Americans insulting
Islam. Incidents mentioned were: 1) A Texas movie theater
showing a pornographic film about the Prophet Mohammad, entitled
"Mohammad's Sexual Life." 2) A priest in St. Lewis Missouri
saying that the Muslim God is different than the Christian one,
because the Christian God will not turn his followers into
terrorists trying to blow up other people. 3) A California
television announcer who said that Muslims performing the
pilgrimage looked like a herd of sheep. Al-Sablah participants
called for action by Muslims to defend Islam and the Prophet
Mohammad from "the hate campaign conducted by the West." One
participant said that "The West has always hated Muslims and
Islam, and the notion of freedom of expression is just a lie."
These topics generated 1,517 hits and 25 responses.
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Calls to Boycott Danish Products Intensify
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3. As discussion of the Danish cartoons continued, many
participants urged Omanis to intensify their economic boycott of
Danish products. Another posted the apology the Danish newspaper
issued on the Al-Jazeera satellite television station,
apologizing for suggesting that the cartoons should be protected
under freedom of expression. A different participant reported on
Afghan President Karazai's statement, made in his meeting with
the Danish Prime Minister, that "as a Muslim I am fully satisfied
with the apology." Also posted was a comment from former U.S.
President Bill Clinton at the Doha economic conference, where he
remarked that "There is another wave sweeping the world, similar
to anti-Semitism. Anti-Islamism is unacceptable."
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Anti-Danish Sermons?
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4. Members of al-Sabla advocated including criticism of Danish
cartoons deemed derogatory to Islam in Friday mosque sermons. A
member commented that "Friday sermons help a great deal in
educating Muslims about different aspects of life. They have
great influence on Muslims' reaction to certain issues, so our
Imams should include criticism of Danish matters in the sermons."
5. Many commented that "many Arab countries have recalled their
ambassadors, closed their embassies, publicized the news on
television and staged demonstrations. Oman is the only one that
has not done anything." In addition, the Grand Mufti of the
Sultanate, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Khalili, when asked about boycotting
Danish products in an Omani television interview said that an
"economic boycott is the minimum Muslims can take to defend
themselves." Many al-Sablah members doubted the likelihood of
including the issue in Friday sermons, with one post stating that
"as all of us know, the mosque Imams follow rules provided to
them by the ministry of religious affairs. They cannot violate
these, and so will not be able to address the Danish issue unless
the government permits them to do so." This topic generated 935
hits and 37 responses.
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Comparison between Danish and American Boycotts
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6. There has been speculation about why the Danish boycott is so
much stronger than the ongoing boycott of American goods, at a
time when American policy is so unpopular among Muslims and
Arabs. Part of the explanation is widespread appreciation for
American humanitarian aid, cultural programming, and also the
fact that the American government has not directly defamed Islam
or the Prophet Mohammed as the Danish cartoons have done.
Overheard remarks from Omanis are:
"Although the Americans are following policies that we don't
accept in supporting Israel or the war against Afghanistan and
Iraq, they are providing a huge amount of aid to most of the
countries in the world."
"While it is true that America is killing or supporting the
killing of Muslims in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan, [the
Danish] offense against the Prophet Mohammad affects Muslims
directly. Mohammad is dearer to us than anyone, even our own
children."
"At least the Americans offer a lot of good things: they provide
aid, conduct developmental projects, Fulbright scholarships, and
many other projects. In contrast, we have not seen anything from
Denmark except the dumping of their products in our markets."
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The Effect of Hamas' Victory on Omani-American Relations
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7. The victory of Hamas prompted speculation by al-Sablah
participants about what effect it will have on the Sultanate's
relations with the Palestinians and with the U.S. Many thought
that Omani reaction would be tied to the American one because of
the close relations between the two countries. One member
commented that "America might threaten to stop its aid to
Palestine if Hamas controls the new government. Oman will want
to protect its relations with America, so it will be very careful
about how it deals with Hamas in order to avoid jeopardizing
relations with America." Some members distinguished between
governments' actions and citizens' reactions towards the Hamas
victory. One commented, "We hope that the new Palestinian
government will increase our feeling of belonging to the Arab
nation." The topic generated 627 hits and 20 responses.
BALTIMORE