US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT489

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000489 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI (TROBERTS), NEA/PPD (CWHITTLESEY), NEA/P 
(FFINVER), IIP/G/NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SOCI, MU, Public Affairs, Terrorism 
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: DOHA BOMBING AND VERDICT IN ATTEMPTED 
MURDER CASE 
 
 
1. Summary:  The Omani Internet chat rooms "Al-Sablah" and "Al- 
Majarra" are the liveliest and most comprehensive Arabic-language 
fora 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, these popular sites nevertheless offer a 
worthwhile window into the hot topics and unvarnished views of 
the day.  This edition of Oman Online contains the following 
topics: 
 
-- Denouncing the Doha Bombing 
-- Life Imprisonment for attempted murder of Briton 
 
End summary. 
 
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Condemning Terror 
----------------- 
 
2. Al-Sablah participants strongly condemned the Doha suicide 
bombing.  One subscriber wrote, "This was an immoral act that 
goes against the teachings of Islam."  Another participant added, 
"Terrorism is taking hold in this region.  We must all cooperate 
in the fight to eradicate it."  An Al-Majarra subscriber 
commented, "There can be no justification for such a heartless 
act.  Islam does not condone the killing of children and innocent 
people."  However, one Al-Majarra subscriber expressed a contrary 
view:  "Millions of Iraqis and other Muslims are being killed in 
Iraq.  I do not hear anyone denouncing their deaths." 
 
--------------------------------- 
The Punishment for Trying to Kill 
--------------------------------- 
 
3. Al-Sablah members also commented on the recent sentencing of 
Muhammad al-Harthy, an Omani citizen, found guilty of attempting 
to murder a British citizen in Oman.  Mr. al-Harthy was sentenced 
to life in prison (in reality 25 years) and ordered to pay 18,000 
Omani riyals (approximately USD 47,000).  Many al-Sablah 
subscribers considered the sentence excessive.  One participant 
stated, "The sentence was too severe.  After all, no one was 
killed. Besides, if the victim had been an Omani, the sentence 
would have been a lot less harsh."  However, a large number of 
participants thought that the sentence was fair:  "We believe in 
a peaceful society.  It is important to tolerate other religions 
and cultures.  This guy casts shame on our country." 
 
BALTIMORE