US embassy cable - 04ANKARA4524

S E C R E T ANKARA 004524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2014 
TAGS: PREL, TU 
SUBJECT: A TURKISH PROPOSAL TO MAKE MECCA AND MEDINA 
AUTONOMOUS 
 
 
(U) Classified by DCM Robert Deutsch; reasons: 1.4 (b,d). 
 
1. (C) Action request--para 7. 
 
2. (S) Summary: A key Embassy contact on Islam in Turkey is 
launching an effort within the Muslim world to turn Mecca and 
Medina into an autonomous zone.  He seeks USG financial 
support to bring his project to fruition.  We will inform him 
that the U.S. cannot support such an initiative unless 
Department instructs us otherwise by Aug. 20.  End summary. 
 
3. (S) Bedreddin Habiboglu has proven himself an extremely 
insightful contact on Islam and the Islamic landscape in 
Turkey.  Habiboglu is the son of the late Ziya Habiboglu, one 
of Turkey's most revered Islamic thinkers of the second half 
of the 20th century, and a man who -- according to Bedreddin 
-- had extraordinary access to the inner circles of the House 
of Saud and to Saudi Arabia's leading theologians.  Thousands 
attended Ziya Habiboglu's funeral in 1996.  Bedreddin 
Habiboglu has a degree in theology from Ankara U. and a 
background in sociology.  A journalist, he used his former 
interview show "Terazi" (Balance) on independent Channel 8 to 
grill prominent Turkish religious figures, including 
controversial fundamentalists (e.g., Abdurrahman Dilipak). 
We have observed his wide range of contacts.  He is 
frequently sought out by Turks of various stripes and 
political and Islamic affiliations for his views and advice 
on religion and politics.   Judging by what we have seen and 
heard (e.g., being interviewed by Baghdadi journalists) we 
think his contacts are broad as well among both Arabs -- his 
Arabic is fluent and subtle -- and Iranians. 
 
4. (S) Habiboglu has raised with us an idea to make Mecca and 
Medina an autonomous zone, somewhat similar to an Islamic 
Vatican.  He asserts that the idea is different from 
proposals to re-establish the caliphate.  He claims the idea 
as his own, and demands that we keep his approach and idea 
closely held.  We note, however, that the idea has circulated 
in Turkey at various times over the past 30-35 years, 
including under the late PM/President Turgut Ozal. 
 
5. (S) Habiboglu's point is that the hajj is one of the main 
obligations of Islam.  To make the hajj correctly, there are 
four conditions: (1) be a Muslim; (2) be free of debt; (3) be 
safe in one's person on the hajj; and (4) be safe from 
robbery on the hajj.  Habiboglu says the fourth point is a 
problem for all Muslims since Saudi Arabia charges exorbitant 
fees for transport, lodging, and food; the fees are an 
irritant throughout the Islamic world, he says.  He would 
propose to have Mecca and Medina run on a rotating basis by 
members of the OIC.  His initial proposal is that each 
country would run the zone for three years; there would be a 
small permanent international staff to ensure logistics, 
crowd control, and other facilities and services.  Habiboglu 
asserts that all OIC members, even Saudi Arabia, would go for 
the idea like a shot.  He also underscores the point that, 
without a way for Islam to free itself from tyranny and 
politicization, the BMENA project has no chance of success. 
 
6. (S) Habiboglu says he needs $8mm-$10mm to bring the 
concept to fruition (for travel to most OIC countries and 
several offices in key countries to lobby and coordinate), 
and looks to the USG for financial support.  He estimates the 
project would take one year-18 months to complete.  He is 
determined to press ahead and says he will propose the idea 
to others, including the Russians, if we turn it down. 
 
7. (S) Action request: Habiboglu has asked for a clear 
answer, either yes or no, by August 20 if possible.  A clear 
no will not bother him, he claims.  Unless instructed 
otherwise by Aug. 20, we will inform Habiboglu that the USG 
would be unable to support such a project. 
EDELMAN