Cablegate: Kuwait Media Reaction - Kuwait Appreciates the Us Congress

VZCZCXRO2679
OO RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #1532 2910720
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 180720Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0148
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001532

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARP, NEA/PA, NEA/AIA, NEA/PI, INR/NESA, R/MR, I/GNEA,
B/BXN, B/BRN, NEA/PPD, NEA/IPA
LONDON FOR NEA WATCHER
PARIS FOR NEA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO XF KU MEDIA REACTION

SUBJECT: KUWAIT MEDIA REACTION - KUWAIT APPRECIATES THE US CONGRESS
RECOGNITION OF ISLAM AS A GLOBAL RELIGION, AND THE EMPIRE STATE
LIGHTING WITH GREEN FOR THE ISLAMIC EID HOLIDAY

Summary
--------
Over the Eid Al Fitr holiday - an Islamic religious holiday marking
the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims - several local
Kuwaiti dailies published comments by prominent media business
owners, columnists, and politicians thanking the US Congress for its
acknowledgment of Islam as a global religion; in addition, the
decision of the Empire State administration to light the building in
green in recognition of the Eid Al Fitr holiday was also well
received in the local media, and reported on by several columnists.

Block Quotes
------------

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

-- Under the title "Islam's Adversity is with its Followers" liberal
columnists Dr. Ahmed Al Baghdadi wrote in the pro-government Arabic
daily Al Seyassah (10/15):

"As a Muslim I extend my appreciation to the Europeans and Americans
for the respect they have shown towards Islam and Muslims; this is
not something new to these nations. After all, it was them who gave
us the concept of a constitutional state, which guarantees the
dignity of human beings, and it was them that established the
education and judicial systems that fostered justice in our
countries. However, despite all that I would tell the Europeans and
Americans that Muslims will not cease to have hatred and animosity
feelings towards you!"

-- Headlined "Holiday Contemplation" Dr. Ahmed Yousef Al Deij wrote
on the final page of the conservative Al Watan daily (10/14):

"... Speaking of peace, which we wish to prosper over humanity, I
was delighted to learn about the smart and meaningful gesture of the
Empire State building administration, which did not cost much but
yet had a great impact on Muslims and Arabs. During the Eid Holiday
the Empire State building in New York was lit with green lights for
the duration of the three-day Islamic Holiday of Eid Al Fitr. This
was the first time since its establishment that this infamous
monument has been lit with green in recognition of an Islamic
Holiday..."

On October 15, 2007 the newly opened Al Jarida daily newspaper
reported that M.P. Muhammad Al Sager hailed the US Congress decision
to recognize Islam as a global religion, and Ramadan as the holy
month for Muslims. Al Sager was quoted in the Al Jarida daily
(10/15):

"This decision is the first of its kind in the history of the U.S.
It is a delightful surprise for Muslims all over the world, and will
help strengthen the strong ties among civilizations. The U.S.
Congress decision is a proof that Islam is the religion of peace,
love, grace; and one that promotes moderation, tolerance, and
rejection of violence, in addition to its recognition of all other
religions of the book."

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s

Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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MISENHEIMER

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