US embassy cable - 05MANAMA923

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000923 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KDEM, PHUM, BA 
SUBJECT: CLERICS CALL FOR CALMING DEMONSTRATIONS 
 
REF: MANAMA 885 
 
Classified by Ambassador William T. Monroe for reasons 1.4 
(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (U) Several opinion-leaders including clerics and 
columnists are calling for the government and opposition to 
act more responsibly following clashes at a June 19 
demonstration.  Shia cleric Shaikh Issa Qassem in his June 24 
sermon criticized both the government and demonstrators for 
their actions in the protest organized by the Committee for 
the Unemployed that led to violence and injuries (reftel). 
He said, "Demanding job opportunities is your right and 
protests and rallies are civilized means in any democracy." 
But he said that youth seeking jobs or salary increases 
should stage their rallies and protests in areas other than 
the Royal Court area, which the police had made off-limits 
following three days of protests ending June 6.  He condemned 
the government's use of "excessive force" against the 
protesters and said it should be investigated.  Echoing his 
comments, Shaikh Ali Salman, president of leading Shia 
opposition society Al Wifaq, denounced the beating of 
protesters at the rally. 
 
2.  (U) Shia Shaikh Abdulla Al Ghuraifi said in his June 23 
sermon that all parties, whether official or private, must 
show a greater sense of social responsibility.  He stated 
that overreactions by either the government or the people can 
have dangerous consequences on the success of the Kingdom's 
reforms.  He reiterated the importance of easing tensions and 
dealing with issues reasonably. 
 
3.  (U) Al Ayam columnist Sawsan Al Shaer complained in her 
June 22 column about the protesters' provocations.  She 
wrote, "All of you know that what happened on Sunday was 
meant to be.  The clashes with security forces were meant to 
be so that the protesters get arrested.  It is not the 
unemployment or the low wage issues that move them.  It is a 
matter of provocation.  However, we cannot just watch 
helplessly while a small group that chose to leave the 
popular consensus, whether Sunni or Shia, boycotters or 
participants, try to undermine our achievements.  It is a 
group that has its own religious agenda that is not related 
to unemployment or human rights.  We must not allow this 
small group to sabotage the gains we have achieved so far." 
 
4.  (C) Comment:  While viewed as a hero by some for taking 
on the Royal Family, we are struck by the number of comments 
suggesting activist Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja went too far in 
provoking clashes with police during the June 19 Royal Court 
protest.  A new refrain is that by heightening tensions, Al 
Khawaja may be putting into jeopardy some of the freedoms and 
liberties Bahrainis, in particular Shia Bahrainis, enjoy as a 
result of the King's reform program.  Having observed Al 
Khawaja for some time, we would be surprised if he were 
deterred by the public commentary and believe it likely he 
will resume his provocative activities in the coming weeks 
and months. 
 
MONROE