US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1278

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 001278 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PPD, NEA/P, IIP/G/NEA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SOCI, MU, Public Affairs 
SUBJECT: OMAN ONLINE: TAYBAH, TERROR, AND ISLAMIC EDUCATION 
 
 
1. Summary:  The Omani Internet message boards "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: 
 
-- "To Taybah al-Ma'wali" 
-- Terrorism and Muslims 
-- Closing of the Department of Islamic Education & Arabic 
Language in the Ministry of Education 
-- College of Law Acceptance and Enrollment Rates 
 
End summary. 
 
-------------- 
Taybah Al-Ma'wali 
-------------- 
 
2. According to at least one al-Sablah participant, former Majlis 
al-Shura member Ms. Taybah Al-Ma'wali is "...an outspoken Omani 
citizen known for her charisma and leadership in raising 
government awareness about issues related to the daily lives of 
Omanis."  Ms. Ma'wali, recently sentenced to six months in jail 
for criticizing senior officials and spreading false information 
via telecommunications, continues to be a hot topic in al-Sablah, 
with several ongoing threads of conversation about her case.  The 
largest dialogue thus far has generated 5,548 hits and 106 
responses, almost all of them supporting Ms. Ma'wali.  As one 
participant put it, "wherever you (Ms. Ma'wali) are, we support 
you and are with you in this difficult situation that you are 
facing." 
 
3.  Other al-Sablah members who feel her punishment was unjust 
stated, "We are sorry that a person is punished just for 
expressing her views.  We are sorry that in this country a person 
is penalized just because they want to exercise their humanity 
through expressing their feelings."  Another member opined: 
"Taybah is an Omani woman who has done many things for the Omani 
people that men could not do and have not done.  For example, she 
established the Omani Women's Society prior to joining the Majlis 
al-Shura.  She was also a very active member in the Majlis al- 
Shura working to stop regulations attempting to impose fees for 
basic services that would add an economic burden on already poor 
Omani families." One al-Sablah member concluded the discussion 
stating, "Now freedom of expression in our country has an 
expensive price that we must pay if we express any disagreement 
with government policies." 
 
--------------------------- 
Defining The Word Terrorism 
--------------------------- 
 
4. Defining terrorism engendered 191 hits and 17 responses.  One 
member initiated the topic stating, "Human society is collapsing 
into darkness due to the actions taken by individuals who claim 
to be working on behalf of humankind but who in fact are working 
for personal interest or revenge."  Another member added, 
"Whenever a crime takes place, the Muslims are accused 
immediately for causing it.  Yet people ignore that Muslims are 
also suffering around the world."  Many agreed that, "Islamic 
culture is totally against these forms of violence.  Yet due to 
attacks like these, the rest of the world is unable to truly 
understand Islam." Some members contributed that, "While most 
Muslims are against the killing of innocents, we also feel that 
there is a hidden element involved in these types of attacks 
aimed at keeping Arabs and Muslims in constant conflict with the 
West."  Another member suggested, "After the collapse of 
communism, America had to find another enemy and it is Islam." 
 
 
----------------------------------- 
Changing Curriculum, Changing Times 
----------------------------------- 
 
5. Al-Sablah members reported that the Ministry of Education has 
decided to discontinue the department responsible for the 
development of curricula related to Arabic language and Islamic 
education.  The subject generated 1,067 hits and 22 responses 
that overwhelmingly objected to the decision.  Some members 
commented, "This should not be a surprise if one remains current 
on world politics.  It seems everyone is fighting against Islam 
because they think it encourages terrorism." Other members 
speculated, "Islam is the main source of law and religion in our 
country.  This is the first time we have heard that our country 
willingly chooses to go against its own constitution and 
fundamental beliefs in favor of another country's belief system." 
Another participant summarized the situation as, "The price of 
democracy."  Many members who disagreed with the decision 
commented, "If this continues, long beards, mosque prayers, and 
any thing related to Islam will be prohibited." 
 
------------------------------- 
Higher Grades, Lower Acceptance 
------------------------------- 
 
6. The issue of unequal acceptance rates for female and male 
students into universities and colleges in Oman has long been a 
controversial issue in al-Sablah, recently registering 913 hits 
and 50 responses.  One member stated, "Female students are always 
required to achieve higher grades to enroll in college in Oman. 
This is unfair, and the Ministry of Higher Education has not 
provided a valid justification for their continued discriminatory 
acceptance practices."  Another member, quoting statistics from a 
recent news article, stated "This year the College of Law not 
only accepted fewer female students -- 70 males but only 50 
females -- but also required significantly higher grades from the 
females (93.19% minimum average for females, and 89.06% minimum 
average for males)."  Other members expressed their frustration 
by stating, "Because there are such low acceptance rates into 
colleges with specializations such as law, medicine, and 
engineering, students are forced to study majors such as 
literature, which has no marketability in Oman." 
 
BALTIMORE