(S/NF) NIGERIA: IDENTIFYING "CREDIBLE VOICES"

S E C R E T ABUJA 002007 SIPDIS SIPDIS CTCC FOR JAMES VAN DE VELDE, DEPT FOR AF/PD E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2032 TAGS: KISL PINR NI SUBJECT: (S/NF) NIGERIA: IDENTIFYING "CREDIBLE VOICES" REF: A. SECSTATE 122288 ¶B. ABUJA 484 ¶C. ABUJA 968 ¶D. ABUJA 215 ¶E. ABUJA 1327 ¶F. ABUJA 270 Classified By: CDA Robert Gribbin for Reasons 1.4 (c). ¶1. (S//NF) Per Ref A request, names follow of "credible voices" in Nigeria's Muslim communities. ¶2. (S//NF) Shaykh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh AL-HUSSAINI (See Ref B) (A) INFLUENCE: Al-Hussaini enjoys popularity throughout Nigeria, particularly in the North-East, and is viewed as an authority on Islam. Al-Hussaini is respected by other Islamic scholars and has considerable sway over followers of the Tijaniyya Sufi brotherhood. Hundreds of aspiring Imams study under his tutelage in the North-Eastern city of Maiduguri at any given time. Dispassionate, highly articulate and well-read, Al-Hussaini represents a promising cadre of Muslim intellectuals, whose extensive knowledge of Islam and prevailing Western trends (i.e. socialism, democracy, etc.) uniquely garners him both relevance and credibility to often discordant segments of society. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: 69 -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni (Tijaniyya) -- Ethnicity: Shuwa Arab (a minority group with links to Yemen in Nigeria's North-East zone) -- Education: Traditional madrasa education in Maiduguri; formal training in Islamic sciences and Sharia in Egypt's al-Azhar University and universities across Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the Indian subcontinent. Al-Hussaini is fluent in Arabic and English. -- Occupation: Since 1992, Al-Hussaini has served as a Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs to the GON. Al-Hussaini is leader of Nigeria's Tijaniyya adherents and chairman of the Assembly of Muslims in Nigeria (AMIN),a national organization with membership numbering into the millions and the first umbrella Islamic organization Nigeria to publicly recognize President Yar'Adua's government. Al-Hussaini is also Chairman of the Fatwa (religious edicts) Committee of both the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Jama'atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and an esteemed member of the Nigerian Eminent Scholars Council. In 2005, at the request of the Government of France (GOF),Al-Hussaini traveled to France to address French Muslims on the need to coexist with other French citizens and renounce violence and 
rioting as a way to express dissatisfaction. Coverage of Al-Hussaini's trip was positive, and he is credited with helping to ease tensions between the Muslim community and the GOF. From 1995-1998, Al-Hussaini participated in GON delegations to Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iran, and Pakistan. (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: North-East Nigeria, potentially nation-wide (D) AUDIENCE: Adherents of the Tijaniyya (E) FORUMS: Radio, mosque sermons, public lectures (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: US foreign policy in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Al-Hussaini believes Islam is a religion of peace that teaches restraint and patience. He contends regardless of the legitimacy of one's grievances, violence is disallowed in Islam. -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: While Al-Hussaini asks Muslims to support the GON, his willingness to speak out publicly against abuses of the Sharia by various northern governors has earned him some important critics. (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. ¶3. (S//NF) Shaykh Aminudeed ABUBAKAR (See Ref C) (A) INFLUENCE: Affable and charismatic, Abubakar enjoys popularity throughout Nigeria, particularly the North-West, is viewed as an authority on Islam, is respected by other Islamic scholars, and has considerable sway over followers of the Qadiriyya Sufi brotherhood. Hundreds of aspiring Imams study under his tutelage in Kano at any given time. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: Unknown, mid 50s -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni (Qadiriyya) -- Ethnicity: Hausa-Fulani -- Education: Traditional madrasa education in Kano; Abubakar attended Bayero University (Kano),where he received his formal Islamic training as a qadi (Sharia court judge) and faqih (scholar of Islamic jurisprudence). Fluent in Hausa, English, and Arabic, Abubakar maintains contact with scholars throughout the Islamic world, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. -- Occupation: Now retired from the courts, Abubakar continues to mentor other Islamic scholars while also serving as Senior Adviser on Religious Affairs to the Kano State Government and Chief Imam of the Da'wah Mosque (Kano). (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: North-West Nigeria, potentially nation-wide (D) AUDIENCE: Adherents of the Qadiriyya (E) FORUMS: Radio, mosque sermons, public lectures (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: US foreign policy in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Abubakar believes Islam is a religion of peace that teaches restraint and patience. He contends regardless of the legitimacy of one's grievances, violence is disallowed in Islam. -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: NO (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. ¶4. (S//NF) Shaykh Ahmed LEMU (A) INFLUENCE: Lemu is widely respected for his legal scholarship. As Chairman of the Islamic Education Trust (IET),Lemu is actively engaged in countering extremist ideology at the secondary school level and among Imams through teacher training programs in Niger state and Abuja. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: 73 -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Nupe (a minority group from Niger state) -- Education: Unknown -- Occupation: Lemu was appointed Grand Qadi (Sharia court judge) of Niger state and currently serves as Chairman of the IET, which trains teachers in Islamiyya schools in Niger state and the FCT and may receive funding through Saudi Arabia. In August 2007, Lemu was appointed to President Yar'Adua's Electoral Reform Panel. (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: Middle Belt, potentially nation-wide (D) AUDIENCE: Educated individuals (E) FORUMS: Print media, radio, television (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: Unknown -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: Unknown -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Unknown -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: NO (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: Embassy Public Affairs Section collaborated with IET to donate books in 2007. ¶5. (S//NF) Imam Fouad ADEYIMI (See Ref D) (A) INFLUENCE: Adeyimi influences broad sectors of the Muslim community through his frequent travels and media appearances throughout Nigeria. While we do not know the extent of the Imam's influence, his positive impression of America and consistent willingness to speak publicly about his admiration for American ideals may have improved his congregants' attitude towards the US. Adeyimi also hosts a talk show broadcast on Nigerian state television. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: 35 -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Yoruba -- Education: Traditional madrasa education in Osun state, studied under his father who was a local Imam -- Occupation: Chief Imam and Chairman of al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society; administers 4-month training courses for Nigerian Muslim elite in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: South-West Nigeria, Abuja (D) AUDIENCE: Youth, educated individuals (E) FORUMS: Radio, television, mosque sermons, public lectures, internet (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: US foreign policy in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: Though at one time he endorsed anti-American views, Adeyimi has moderated his tone and critical stance especially following his 2005 visit to the US. -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Jihad is an internal spiritual struggle against the ego. Violent extremism is categorically rejected by Islam. -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: His perceived association with the Embassy has sowed distrust for him in the minds of some Islamic leaders. (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: 2005 International Visitor Program Grantee; Embassy Public Affairs Section collaborated with al-Habibiyyah on Ramadan events in 2006. ¶6. (S//NF) Shaykh Ibrahim KHALIL (A) INFLUENCE: Khalil is soft-spoken and cerebral. He claims to have educated thousands of Imams and others in Kano over his 30 years of teaching experience. While he does not possess a formal Western education, he is erudite, sophisticated, and believes Muslims should embrace both Western and Islamic education. He has also said that he dissuaded many youths from traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan to fight against the US. Khalil indicted the Nigerian mass media for helping to radicalize northern Nigerian youth against the US; he believes strongly that the media can be used as a positive force for change. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: Unknown, early 50s -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Hausa-Fulani -- Education: Traditional madrasa education in Kano; possible formal training in Islamic sciences in Sudan and/or Egypt. Khalil is fluent in Hausa and English and proficient in Arabic. -- Occupation: 30 years of teaching experience in Kano madrasas (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: North-West Nigeria (D) AUDIENCE: Youth (E) FORUMS: Radio, mosque sermons (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: US foreign policy in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Jihad is an internal spiritual struggle against the ego. Violent extremism is categorically rejected by Islam. -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: NO (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. ¶7. (S//NF) Ustaz Muhammad Abubakar SIDDEEQ (A) INFLUENCE: As Deputy Imam of the National Mosque, Siddeeq has given the Friday sermon to crowds of well over a thousand. As head of the Muslim Consultative Forum, Siddeeq is also in close contact with other Imams in Abuja. While not a commanding orator, Siddeeq is influential with youth. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: 41 -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Hausa-Fulani -- Education: LLB, Bayero University Kano (1993); BA (English),University of Abuja; Siddeeq is fluent in English and Hausa and proficient in Arabic. -- Occupation: President, Muslim Consultative Forum (Abuja); Managing Director, Comerel Travels & Tours Ltd. (Abuja); Deputy Imam, National Mosque (Abuja) (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: Abuja and FCT (D) AUDIENCE: Youth (E) FORUMS: Radio, mosque sermons, public lectures (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: US foreign policy in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Unknown -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: NO (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: Siddeeq spoke at an Embassy-sponsored event in 2006. ¶8. (S//NF) Lateef ADEGBITE (See Ref E) (A) INFLUENCE: As the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA),an influential, umbrella Islamic organization, Adegbite has ample opportunity and access to speak publicly on a host of issues of concern to Muslims in Nigeria. The NSCIA advocates the interests of Muslims nation-wide. Adegbite is not viewed as an authority on issues related to Islamic practice or belief. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: Unknown, late 60s -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Yoruba -- Education: LLB, University of Lagos -- Occupation: Secretary General, NSCIA; barrister (based in Lagos) (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: South-West Nigeria, potentially nation-wide (D) AUDIENCE: Educated individuals (E) FORUMS: Radio, television, print media (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: N0 -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Adegbite believes Islam is a religion of peace that disallows violent extremism. -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: The NSCIA has been criticized for being too close to the GON and is routinely disparaged for being part of the "establishment". (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. ¶9. (S//NF) Sultan Muhammadu Sa'ad ABUBAKAR III (See Ref F) (A) INFLUENCE: As the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar is viewed as the communal leader of Nigeria's 70 million Muslims. He does not have authority to make Islamic pronouncements other than to announce the beginning and end of the Ramadan fast; he does not broach religious issues otherwise. He has made public statements linking anti-American sentiment to the lack of education in northern Nigeria and has pledged to focus efforts on improving relations with the US. Traditional rulers like the Sultan were stripped of their political roles when Nigeria gained independence and are searching for relevance today. Younger and more urbane than Nigeria's previous sultans, Abubakar is looking to exert greater influence in politics and in mitigating conflict between Christians and Muslims. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: 51 -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Hausa-Fulani -- Education: Military training received in Nigeria (Kaduna), India, and Canada. In 2006, Abubakar completed a 9-month conflict mitigation course at the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies. -- Occupation: Abubakar was chosen as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto in November 2006; he is President of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)and Jama'atu Nasrul Islam (JNI). Prior to being appointed Sultan, Abubakar had a long career as an army officer, serving in the elite Armored Corps, and spent 27 years outside Nigeria. After commanding a battalion of African peacekeepers in Chad, Abubakar headed a presidential security unit guarding Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida. Later, he served in ECOWAS' peacekeeping force to Sierra Leone and, most recently, as Defense Attache to Pakistan with concurrent accreditation to Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan. (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: Nation-wide (D) AUDIENCE: All (E) FORUMS: Radio, television, print media, public lectures (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: NO -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: NO -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: While praised for his commitment to non-violence and respected for his title by older Nigerians, the office of the Sultan is viewed increasingly as outmoded to the 21st century. Traditional title holders are also looked upon with disdain for being too close to the GON, which exploits the prestige of the Sultan to garner legitimacy. (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. ¶10. (S//NF) Jibrin IBRAHIM (A) INFLUENCE: Ibrahim is well-respected among academicians and educated Nigerians. While a secular Muslim, he believes strongly that democracy can work in Nigeria, as a means to address grievances. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: Unknown, mid 40s -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Hausa-Fulani -- Education: BA/MA (Political Science) Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria); PhD (Political Science) University of Bordeaux, France -- Occupation: Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (Abuja, Lagos, United Kingdom); former Associate Professor of Political Science, Ahmadu Bello University (Zaria),Director of the International Human Rights Law Group (Abuja),Senior Fellow at the Institute of Federalism (Friborg, Switzerland) (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: Nation-wide (D) AUDIENCE: Educated individuals (E) FORUMS: Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that focuses on democratic development and peace-building in West Africa. The CDD maintains a website at www.cdd.org.uk and receives funding from the governments of Britain, Sweden, Canada, and Belgium and the Ford and Macarthur Foundations. (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: Unknown -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: NO -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Unknown; Ibrahim would not be suitable to address issues concerning Islamic practice or ideology. His value added, however, would be in offering Muslim educated youth in particular alternative solutions other than violence to address societal problems and frustrations. -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: Unknown; As an academic and activist, Ibrahim retains a degree of freedom, which he liberally and routinely exercises to criticize the GON. (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. ¶11. (S//NF) Abdul-Qadir ORIRE (A) INFLUENCE: As the Secretary General of the Jama'atu Nasrul Islam (JNI),an influential, umbrella Islamic organization, Orire has ample opportunity and access to speak publicly on a host of issues of concern to Muslims in Nigeria. The JNI advocates the interests of Muslims nation-wide and has a strong presence on university campuses, especially in northern Nigeria. (B) BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: -- Age: Unknown, mid 40s -- Gender: Male -- Religious Affiliation: Sunni -- Ethnicity: Yoruba -- Education: Unknown -- Occupation: Secretary General, JNI (C) GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INFLUENCE: Nation-wide, potentially (D) AUDIENCE: University students (E) FORUMS: Radio, television, print media (F) CREDIBILITY AND SUITABILITY: -- Any known disagreements and criticisms of US policy: While Orire's personal views are unknown, JNI has criticized the US over its foreign policies in the Middle East, Iraq, and Afghanistan and for not "criticizing" the GON over the flawed April 2007 elections. -- Any known record of advocating violence against the US or its allies: Unknown -- Ideological position regarding jihad: Unknown -- Any known derogatory information: NO -- Any known calls for violence against this individual: NO (G) The nature of any known current relationship with the USG: None. GRIBBIN