AMIN CHAIRMAN WARNS OF EXTREMISM, PLEDGES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000484 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/AA, AF/W E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINR KISL PTER SOCI NI SUBJECT: AMIN CHAIRMAN WARNS OF EXTREMISM, PLEDGES ASSISTANCE Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Heather Merritt for reasons 1 .4 (b & d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On March 6, Poloff met with Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh Al-Hussaini, Chairman of the Assembly of Muslims in Nigeria (AMIN),at his Abuja residence. Sheikh Al-Hussaini is also Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of both the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria and the Jama'atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) and an Esteemed Member of the Nigerian Eminent Scholars Council. The meeting, conducted primarily in Arabic, discussed the potential for violent extremism in northern Nigeria, revealed Muslim attitudes towards the United States and highlighted the tenuous nature of inter- and intra-communal relations in the North. Sheikh Al-Hussaini is a leading Islamic scholar who commands a large following and is well-versed in issues of theological and socioeconomic import. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) With respect to the potential for violent extremism "a la bin Laden" in northern Nigeria, Sheikh Al-Hussaini remarked that the so-called "bin Laden phenomenon" is short-lived, particularly in Nigeria where relations with the United States remain positive. He added that "while most (Nigerian) Muslims disagree with the policies and actions of the United States in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine," most do not endorse bin Laden's tactics. At the same time, Al-Hussaini cautioned that the "actions of the American government around the world antagonize even peace-loving Muslims" and serve to embolden critics of the United States. Al-Hussaini fears that should Muslim grievances world-wide "go marginalized, even unacknowledged," northern Nigerians will heed the calls for "terrorism in the guise of legitimate Islamic resistance." ¶3. (C) Sheikh Al-Hussaini welcomed this first visit of an American official to his organization as a sign of American respect for and goodwill towards Nigeria's Muslims. He volunteered his organization's services to better promote America's image in Nigeria, adding that "miscommunication not malintent" was responsible for America's negative standing with Muslims. While critical of the United States, Al-Hussaini appeared deferential, laudatory of American efforts at liaising with prominent Muslim leaders in the North, and encouraged Embassy Abuja to expand its outreach programs. ¶4. (C) When asked about the state of Muslim-Christian relations in Nigeria, Sheikh Al-Hussaini admitted that "most people will tell you we coexist, but they are in denial, trying to wish away the problem." He added that discriminatory economic, employment, and zoning policies "aggravate our already tenuous communal relations." As the Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of both the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria and the Jama'atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) in Kaduna, Sheikh Al-Hussaini monitors religious decrees and judicial rulings proffered in mosques and courts throughout the North. He, at times, censures individuals for what he terms "harsh, intolerant" views. He clarified that such views were not only targeted at Christians, but also Muslims. Al-Hussaini remarked that Nigerian Muslims are "suffering an identity crisis," where because they "no longer know their religion's teachings, they are fighting other Muslims." The culture of "takfirism" (accusing other Muslims of apostasy) is beginning to "take root," the Sheikh warned, and is "splitting up entire villages." ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Sheikh Al-Hussaini, born in 1938 into a prominent Borno scholarly family, received his formal religious training in Maiduguri and Egypt's al-Azhar University, having also spent several years studying in Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Pakistan, India, Niger, and Sudan. Fluent in Arabic and English, Sheikh Al-Hussaini enjoys wide popularity throughout Nigeria, lecturing both domestically and internationally on issues of theological importance. In addition to authoring over 100 works on Islamic law, theology, Sufism, and contemporary Islamic thought, providing religious instruction on a weekly basis to students at his Abuja home, and serving as Chairman of AMIN (Islamic umbrella organization with membership numbering in the millions), Al-Hussaini has served since 1992 as a Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs to the Government of Nigeria (GON). At various times from 1995-1998, Al-Hussaini participated in GON delegations to Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iran, and ABUJA 00000484 002 OF 002 Pakistan. In 2005, the Government of France invited Al-Hussaini to address the French Muslim community in efforts to ease tensions. Dispassionate, highly articulate and well-read, Sheikh 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. His willingness to speak out publicly against abuses of the Sharia, by various Northern governors, also has earned him some important enemies. END COMMENT. FUREY