Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA2352
2009-12-30 15:49:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTEMPTED TERRORIST
how-toVZCZCXRO8215 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHUJA #2352 3641549 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301549Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7881 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 2593 RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
UNCLAS ABUJA 002352
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KISL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTEMPTED TERRORIST
ATTACK ON U.S. AIRLINER
UNCLAS ABUJA 002352
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KISL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTEMPTED TERRORIST
ATTACK ON U.S. AIRLINER
1. (SBU) In the days following Faruk Umaru Abdulmutallab's
December 25 attempted attack on a Detroit-bound U.S.
commercial airliner, Nigeria's Muslim community condemned
Abdulmutallab's actions in unconditional and unequivocal
terms. In addition, Nigerians praised Mutallab's father for
coming forward to alert authorities about his concerns about
his son.
2. (SBU) Several Muslim organizations, including, but not
limited to, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,
Jama'atil Nasril Islam, the Association of Moslem Ulamas in
Kaduna State, Muslim Rights Concern, and the Assembly of
Muslims in Nigeria, have issued public statements condemning
violence as un-Islamic, emphasizing Islam as a religion of
peace, and voicing concern that this incident will be
injurious to the Nigerian national interest. Several Mission
contacts have also privately offered their support for
maintaining a good relationship between the United States and
Nigeria and denouncing the attempted attack.
3. (SBU) While there is no audible debate over whether
Mutallab's actions were justified, domestic discussions have
focused on whether Mutallab is evidence of a Nigerian
"problem." Some Mission contacts have expressed that suicide
bombing is not part of Nigerians' psyche and blame the
"British Taliban" for its influence on Mutallab.
4. (SBU) However, other observers blame lack of good
governance and failure of the education system in creating a
generation of young Nigerians who lack traditional values and
identity and thus remain vulnerable to recruitment by
extremists. The penchant of the northern Nigerian elite for
educating their children abroad precisely to avoid local
negative influences spectacularly misfired in the case of
Mutallab, commentators have observed. Nigerians also remain
concerned that international reaction will make it
increasingly difficult to obtain visas and worry they will be
hassled by security when traveling.
SANDERS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA;
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KISL NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIAN MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTEMPTED TERRORIST
ATTACK ON U.S. AIRLINER
1. (SBU) In the days following Faruk Umaru Abdulmutallab's
December 25 attempted attack on a Detroit-bound U.S.
commercial airliner, Nigeria's Muslim community condemned
Abdulmutallab's actions in unconditional and unequivocal
terms. In addition, Nigerians praised Mutallab's father for
coming forward to alert authorities about his concerns about
his son.
2. (SBU) Several Muslim organizations, including, but not
limited to, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,
Jama'atil Nasril Islam, the Association of Moslem Ulamas in
Kaduna State, Muslim Rights Concern, and the Assembly of
Muslims in Nigeria, have issued public statements condemning
violence as un-Islamic, emphasizing Islam as a religion of
peace, and voicing concern that this incident will be
injurious to the Nigerian national interest. Several Mission
contacts have also privately offered their support for
maintaining a good relationship between the United States and
Nigeria and denouncing the attempted attack.
3. (SBU) While there is no audible debate over whether
Mutallab's actions were justified, domestic discussions have
focused on whether Mutallab is evidence of a Nigerian
"problem." Some Mission contacts have expressed that suicide
bombing is not part of Nigerians' psyche and blame the
"British Taliban" for its influence on Mutallab.
4. (SBU) However, other observers blame lack of good
governance and failure of the education system in creating a
generation of young Nigerians who lack traditional values and
identity and thus remain vulnerable to recruitment by
extremists. The penchant of the northern Nigerian elite for
educating their children abroad precisely to avoid local
negative influences spectacularly misfired in the case of
Mutallab, commentators have observed. Nigerians also remain
concerned that international reaction will make it
increasingly difficult to obtain visas and worry they will be
hassled by security when traveling.
SANDERS