The Risk Professional: US to close embassies at the end of Ramadan claiming increased threat levels
Publication:
Friday, 2 August, 2013 - 01:32
chiefofficersnet
The USA is to close embassies and consulates over Hari Raya / Eid (the end of Ramadan / Muslim new year). It's a PR snafu.
The US says it's not naming those that will close but the closure is on Sunday - and the only missions open on Sundays are those in countries that observe the Muslim Friday/Saturday weekend.The closure, it says, are due to security concerns.
So, one-line summary: the USA thinks that it is under threat from Muslims in their most religious time of year. It's a PR snafu of epic proportions.
It could have just said that it was observing the religious holiday in accordance with local custom.That would have been both respectful and non-inflammatory.
Kudos Kerry. Not.