The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) announced Monday that USCIRF Chairman Abraham Cooper, an Orthodox rabbi, has canceled a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia. Kippa head cover.
USCIRF be familiar with Monday’s statement said of the March 5 incident:
After several tour delays, authorities ordered Cooper, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, to refrain from making any public appearances while he was there, even though the Saudi Foreign Ministry had approved the visit. When he showed up, he always asked him to remove his kippah.
U.S. Embassy officials accompanying the USCIRF delegation supported Chairman Cooper’s polite and firm refusal to remove the kippah and communicated this to Saudi officials.
Despite their efforts, field officials did not allow the delegation to leave the premises, as Chairman Cooper indicated that he was not seeking confrontation or provocation, but as an observant Jew he could not comply with demands for the removal of the kippah. I escorted him outside.
“No one should be denied access to archaeological sites, especially sites intended to emphasize unity and progress, simply because of their Jewish presence,” Cooper said. Said.
“Saudi Arabia is in the midst of encouraging change based on Vision 2030. But we at USCIRF continue to visit, especially at a time when anti-Semitism is rampant. “It became impossible,” he said.
Saudi Vision 2030 is modernization plan The plan was drawn up in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, currently the de facto head of the Saudi government. The plan calls for liberalizing Saudi society to make it more compatible with the rest of the modern world and more attractive to foreign investors.
“We are particularly disappointed that this happened to a representative of a U.S. government agency that promotes religious freedom,” Cooper said, adding that the committee “addresses the systemic issues that led to this problem.” We look forward to working with the Saudi government to achieve this goal.” Incident. “
of Kippaprobably more widely known by its Yiddish name yarmulke, It is a head covering that is always worn by Orthodox Jewish men. Non-Orthodox Jews tend to wear them during religious ceremonies.
Simon Wiesenthal Center File/Rabbi briefs the media after presenting the annual top 10 worst anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incidents in the world at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, California, December 30, 2014.・Abraham Cooper. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)
According to USCIRF, Mr. Cooper and his vice president, the Rev. Frederick Davey, were on an official visit to Saudi Arabia when they were invited to tour the historic town of Diriyah near the current capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
Diriyah was the first capital of the Saudi dynasty. The At-Turaif Palace District was founded in the 15th century. UNESCO World Heritage Site Due to its historical importance and unique architecture.
The city is also an important place for certain sects of Islam, as it was the home of today’s Sheikh Mohammad ibn Abdul Wahhab. Considering As the founder of the strict Wahhabi brand of Islam.Wahabism is very influential In Saudi Arabia.
It was not immediately clear whether any of this history played a role in Cooper’s case. USCIRF Vice-Chair Davey said the request for Cooper to remove the kippah was “astonishing and distressing” and “in direct contradiction to Saudi Vision 2030’s narrative of change” and “religious freedom.” “I will.”
File/Press Conference asking for help obtaining U.S. stamps honoring Japanese American World War II veterans at the Museum of Tolerance, December 20, 2007. Rabbi Abraham Cooper speaks to a group of Japanese veterans and the press about the heroism and humility of the soldiers. (Annie Wells/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“While we are grateful for the various meetings we have held in the country with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Human Rights Commission and other interlocutors, we believe that this unfortunate incident will continue to bring Saudi Arabia into alignment. It clearly shows that there is much more to do.”This fundamental right is guaranteed by international legal protection,” Davie said.
“The key to real progress for all those seeking peace is to remember that respect goes both ways,” Cooper and Davey said in their joint statement.
Saudi Embassy in Washington released The company released a statement about the incident on Tuesday, calling it an unfortunate “misunderstanding of internal protocols.”
The embassy said Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar met with Rabbi Cooper and welcomed him back to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
