US embassy cable - 05JEDDAH2238

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 002238 
 
SIPDIS 
 
RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; LONDON FOR GOLDRICH; PARIS 
FOR ZEYA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KISL, Mosque Sermons 
SUBJECT: MOSQUE SERMONS IN SAUDI ARABIA: AVOID WASTING TIME 
DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS; CRITICISM OF VIOLENCE IN THE 
KINGDOM 
 
Classified By: ACTING CONSUL GENERAL CAROL KALIN 
FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  In Friday, July 1 sermons, imams in Mecca 
and Medina noted the start of the summer holiday season in 
Saudi Arabia by reminding congregants of the "dangers" of 
wasting time.  In Mecca, the imam also criticized "deviants" 
who had caused bloodshed and violence in Saudi Arabia, and 
prayed for the success of the Saudi leader.  Meanwhile, in 
the Eastern Province, the imam at the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal 
Mosque in Khobar questioned Arab leaders for not defending 
the rights of their people and indirectly criticized Saudis 
for their poor treatment of non-Arab Muslims.  Mosques in 
Riyadh focused on the importance of prayer and the ritual 
duties of Islam.  Reports suggest that due to the closure of 
Saudi schools for the summer, many people have left for 
vacations resulting in noticeably lower attendance at Friday 
sermons.  End summary. 
 
FROM THE GRAND MOSQUE IN MECCA: THE DANGERS OF WASTING TIME; 
VIOLENCE IN THE KINGDOM 
 
2.  (U) In Mecca, Shaykh Salih al-Talib delivered a July 1 
sermon at the Grand Mosque stating that while Islam allowed 
Muslims to take a rest during the summer holidays, such rest 
and recreation should not violate the teachings of Islam, or 
waste time.  He added that Muslims should avoid idleness and 
the abandonment of Islamic duties during the holiday season. 
"Laziness and idleness are a serious disease, which reflects 
negatively on individuals and societies, and leads to 
poverty." 
 
3.  (U) The imam also criticized violence in Saudi Arabia, 
regretting that some youths have deviated from sound beliefs. 
 "Such a deviation leads to killing and bloodshed in 
confrontations between two Muslim parties in the country of 
the two holy mosques.  Fair people, as well as thoroughly 
versed ulema, have said their word.  Will you stop this? 
Much blood has been shed-- blood, which should have been used 
for construction in accordance with the ulema's (religious 
authority's) advice and the teachings of the last of the 
prophets.  As an adviser, I appeal to those who have departed 
from the group and committed a mistake to return, or turn 
themselves in and repent."  Al-Talib concluded by praying for 
the success of the Saudi leader. 
 
MEDINA IMAM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT IDLENESS IN THE SUMMER 
 
4.  (U) At the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, Shaykh Ali 
Abd-al-Rahman al-Hudhayfi urged Muslims to use the summer 
holidays to do good deeds and carry out their religious 
duties.  He decried young men wasting their time in the 
summer, damaging their health, and missing opportunities.  He 
urged parents to encourage their children to attend 
scientific courses and read the Koran over the summer.  He 
stated that happiness lies in the worship of God, while 
laziness results in unhappiness. 
 
IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE, CRITICISM OF ARAB LEADERS; CALLS FOR 
EQUALITY AMONG MUSLIMS 
 
5.  (C) At the Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal Mosque in al-Khobar, the 
imam harshly addressed Arab leaders for not standing up for 
the rights of their own people.  He also indirectly 
criticized Saudis for their poor treatment of non-Arab 
Muslims.  For example, the imam criticized people who do not 
care about the fate of Pakistani or Afghani detainees at 
Guantanamo Bay, but instead focus on the fate of the Saudi 
prisoners.  "Since when is Islam defined by trivialities, 
such as national borders, a person's nationality and other 
worldly concerns?"  he asked.  "It makes one wonder who was 
included in the Prophet Muhammad's message, was it the people 
of the Middle East or was it the rest of the world?" 
 
6.  (C) The imam underscored his point by telling the 
congregants that "Christians and Jews are much better than us 
in this department," because they "care what happens to their 
own.  They even care what happens to their Muslim citizens." 
He subsequently returned to the subject of Guantanamo Bay, 
stating that the British, French, Germans, Italians, and 
Australians all have succeeded in securing the release of 
their nationals.  "Their nationals were Muslims, but this did 
not prevent these countries from making the effort.  What a 
shame!" 
7.  (C) Finally, the imam harshly criticized Arab leaders for 
not caring about their people, and decried the "ignorant 
scholars and yellow leaders who neither care for Muslims nor 
possess the will to help them."  The imam prayed for God "to 
bestow us with better leaders whom we can be proud of." 
 
IN RIYADH, IMAMS REMAIN FOCUSED ON PRAYER, RITUAL ISLAMIC 
DUTIES 
 
8.  (C) At the Al Hessey Mosque in Riyadh, Shaykh Abdul 
Rahman stressed the importance of prayer, which he stated is 
the primary distinguishing factor between a Muslim and a 
non-Muslim.  He also reminded congregants to perform the 
ritual duties of Islam, and prayed for the dignity of Muslims 
and Muslim leaders.  Contacts in Riyadh did not report any 
mention in this week's sermons of disrespect of the Quran by 
non-Muslims, support for "mujahedeen" groups, or criticism of 
terrorists operating in the Kingdom. 
KALIN