US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1341

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001341 
 
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: PREAMBLES, PLANES, AND PRAYERS 
 
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: 
 
-- Iraq's Draft Constitution 
-- RAFO's Purchase Of F-16 Aircraft 
-- The Friday Mosque Sermon 
 
End summary. 
 
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We The People 
------------- 
 
2. One al-Sablah author described the Iraqi draft constitution as 
an "achievement" on the road to setting up a democratic system. 
"If Iraq can reach an agreement, it will be the first Arab nation 
to be governed by a constitution crafted by the will of the 
people," the author stated.  Roughly a third of respondents 
agreed with the author, writing "We look forward to the Iraqis 
recovering from their old wounds to rebuild their country" and 
"We must discard pessimism and narrow-mindedness, and look at the 
bright side of this constitution." 
 
3. However, the remaining two-thirds called the constitution into 
question.  One contributor suggested, "It is not an Iraqi 
constitution, but rather an Iranian/American creation.  The 
Americans opened the game by making the Kurds in the north fight 
the Shiites in the south."  Another wrote, "The real goal of the 
so-called constitution is to rob the Iraqis of their resources, 
divide them into separate ethnic groups, and erase the 
Arab/Islamic identity of the Iraqi Sunnis." 
 
------------------------- 
Into The Wild Blue Yonder 
------------------------- 
 
4. In a topic that generated over 3,600 hits, al-Sablah 
participants generally praised the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) 
for their procurement of F-16 aircraft.  "Congratulations to RAFO 
for their new equipment," wrote one member, "and I hope that we 
will never need to use them."  Another stated, "I support the 
acquisition of the latest technology for our armed forces, 
provided that there are enough experts and professionals to use 
the technology properly."  Other observers hailed the purchase as 
"keeping up with the UAE," while a small minority complained that 
some of the aircraft's parts are Israeli-made. 
 
-------------------------- 
Living In A Material World 
-------------------------- 
 
5. The theme of last Friday's mosque sermon raised the ire of 
numerous al-Sablah members.  Forum participants described the 
gist of the Friday prayers as "Renounce worldly pleasures and 
lead an ascetic life; in other words, be content with what you 
have and don't think about improving your situation."  Angered by 
the perceived ulterior motive behind this theme - the Ministry of 
Awqaf and Religious Affairs approves each Friday's sermon - one 
respondent asserted, "It seems the `hamour' [slang for wealthy, 
influential people] do not like citizens demanding even small 
services from the government."  Another asked, "Is the government 
really asking us not to pursue salary increases, or even the 
improvement of basic social services?"  Declared one member, 
"They have forgotten that money is the backbone of society, and 
that through investment, society is nourished." 
 
BALTIMORE