NIGERIA: ZAK-ZAKY EMERGES FROM HIBERNATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000902

SIPDIS


NSC FOR JFRASER
CAIRO FOR JMAXSTADT


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2013
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KISL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: ZAK-ZAKY EMERGES FROM HIBERNATION

Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter. Reasons:
1.5 (B & D).



1. (C) Ibrahim el-Zak-Zaky, leader of a fringe
Nigerian Islamic sect calling for the return to
traditional Shi'a principles, emerged over the weekend
from a period of inactivity. Sheikh Zak-Zaky held a
fundraising event and public rally in Kano on May 10-
11, attracting some media attention and drawing
sizeable crowds of onlookers.



2. (C) Ostensibly, the reason for his event was to
raise money for Islamic schools to provide "functional
education with sound Islamic background." According
to the BBC, over 50 million Naira was collected during
the weekend events.



3. (C) Emboff observed an estimated 100 vehicles
traveling in a motorcade in Kano shouting Zak-Zaky's
slogans. Calling for an "end to democracy and
beginning of Islamic governance," the vehicles paraded
in this northern commercial center for more than two
hours.



4. (C) COMMENT: Rendered irrelevant shortly after
the fall of the Abacha regime, Zak-Zaky has been
largely ignored due to his doctrinaire opposition to
the implementation of political shari'a. (NOTE: He
claimed shari'a was impossible without an Islamic
regime in place. END NOTE.) He has always
concentrated on the social benefits of his brand of
Shi'ism, so collecting money for Islamic education is
no departure. (NOTE: His children are said to attend
western-style private schools in Nigeria. END NOTE.)
His appearance at this time is probably not a
coincidence. Given the high level of dissatisfaction
with the recent elections, Zak-Zaky could attempt to
capitalize opportunistically on the disenchantment of
a susceptible segment of northern Nigeria's large
population. Providing an alternative to the democracy
that has alienated them, Zak-Zaky's brand of
traditional Shi'ism could appeal to some in Nigeria's
northern region who view critically the GON's failure
to provide infrastructure and social services.
JETER