CHAD'S GRAND IMAM WELCOMES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NDJAMENA 000704

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C AND AF/PD, LONDON
AND PARIS FOR AFRICA-WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV OIIP KPAO KIRF PREL PHUM CD
SUBJECT: CHAD'S GRAND IMAM WELCOMES
OUTREACH EFFORTS



1. (U) Summary. The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on
Chad's Grand Imam, Sheikh Hassan Hissein Abakar, the
spiritual leader of Chadian Muslims. The Grand Imam was
seriously injured last week in a dispute outside his office,
and the visit provided an opportunity to wish him a speedy
recovery. During the exceptionally warm meeting, the
Ambassador discussed the Mission's Muslim outreach
projects and solicited the views of the Imam on the current
political situation in Chad. The Imam spoke in favor of a
national round table now that the May 3 presidential
elections are finished. End Summary.

--------------
Imam Injured
--------------


2. (U) Sheikh Hassan Hissein Abakar, Grand Imam of
Chad and president of the High Islamic Council (HIC),
received the Ambassador at the Imam's private residence
on May 16, 2006. Also present were the first and second
vice-Imams, numerous members of the HIC, the head of
radio Al-Quran Al-Karim (broadcast from the Grande
Mosque),and a number of Arabic-language journalists.
The Imam was stabbed in both arms last week while trying
to stop a marital dispute that turned violent on the grounds
of the Grande Mosque. The injury on his right arm
required surgery to repair severed ligaments, and he
appeared rather frail but in good spirits. Thus, the first
order of business was to inquire about his health, and the
Ambassador wished him a speedy and full recovery.

--------------
Muslim Outreach
--------------


3. (U) The Ambassador took the opportunity to briefly
discuss with the Grand Imam some of the Embassy's recent
Muslim outreach activities, including: the Shared Futures
education project; the Arabic-language journalist training in
Rabat, Morocco; and the human rights seminar for Imams
and Marabouts. The Ambassador also spoke with the
Grand Imam about his recent trip to Abeche and the
Ouaddai region, which included a visit to refugee camps,
and courtesy calls on the Grand Imam of Abeche, and the
Sultan of Ouaddai two other very prominent Muslim
leaders in Chad, and close contacts of the Embassy. The
Grand Imam expressed his pleasure at these visits, stating
that he views the U.S. "as a partner" in many different
areas.

--------------
Elections
--------------


4. (U) Finally, the Ambassador and the Grand Imam
spoke briefly about the May 3 elections, and the current
political situation in Chad. The Grand Imam outlined the
opinion of the HIC, which supports a round table being
held now that elections are finished. The Grand Imam
stated that the HIC did not feel it would have been wise to
hold a round table before elections, nor to postpone the
elections. Both of these options, the Grand Imam said,
would have certainly led to civil war. The Grand Imam
expressed his hopes that the United States will continue to
work with all parties in Chad towards peace, and the
Ambassador reaffirmed our strong commitment to assist in
finding a solution to Chad's current political crisis.

--------------
Comment
--------------


5. (U) The warmth of this meeting was palpable, and it is
clear that the Grand Imam considers the Ambassador to be

NDJAMENA 00000704 002 OF 002


a friend, comfortable receiving him in his home. This is
the second time the Ambassador has visited the Imam in
times of trouble, the first being in February on the death of
the late Grand Imam of Abeche. The Grand Imam
commented very positively on this, essentially saying that
the Ambassador is much more than a fair-weather friend.
This warm relationship provides a very strong base for the
Mission's Muslim outreach projects in Chad. The visit
received very positive coverage on Radio Al-Quran Al-
Karim.



WALL