NIGERIA: REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AL-ARABIYA

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 000285 SIPDIS NSC, PA/PRS, AF/W, INR/AA E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/05/2019 TAGS: PREL KPAO PHUM NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AL-ARABIYA INTERVIEW REF: STATE 07500 Classified By: Political Counselor Walter N.S. Pflaumer for reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Summary: EmbOffs reached out to some of Nigeria's Muslim clerics and community leaders on February 3, many of whom are outspoken in their criticism of Israel and the West in relation to the Palestinian conflict, to gauge their reactions to President Obama's interview with Al Arabiya (and deploy reftel talking points). While most were unaware of the interview, those who saw it or heard about it praised POTUS for opening a channel of communication with the Muslim world. For those unaware of the interview before EmbOffs raised it, many hailed the fact that Obama's first foreign interview was aimed at reaching out to the Muslim world. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Sheikh Aminudeen (protect),an influential Muslim cleric and Chief of the Daawah Friday Mosque in Kano, told EmbOffs that "We pray Obama will champion the campaign for global peace and harmony." The cleric admitted that while he did not see the interview himself, "it is a welcome development that Obama needs to continue to convince us that America is not at war with Islam." ¶3. (C) Sheikh Faud Adeyemi (protect),Chief Imam of Al-Habiyyah Mosque in Abuja and one of the few we spoke with who saw the interview said, "It was a commendable effort. I see it as an opportunity to extend our (Muslim) friendship and showcase the true picture of Islam to the Americans and the rest of the world. I also see the interview as a challenge to Muslims to organize ourselves and move with the rest of the world." ¶4. (C) Malam Musa (protect),a Zaria-based Islamic scholar and member of the Islamic Movement, (an organization led by Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, which has been highly critical of Israel and the West),said he blamed former President George Bush for "the current global instability and tension by attacking Muslim lands." While Musa admitted that "it appears President Obama might prove skeptics of America wrong if he adopts a liberal approach to the Muslim world," he said that he nonetheless remains "skeptical if Obama will take such an approach given the long standing U.S. relationship with Israel." ¶5. (C) Comment: There is a large billboard of President Obama that was erected in Summer 2008 with the words, "The world is totally for Obama." It greets every passenger who travels from Abuja's Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the city of Abuja. The positive reaction of the Muslim leaders with whom we spoke to the President's al-Arabiya interview indicates the intense interest in the U.S. as a result of the President's election and what they see as a new phase in our foreign policy. End Comment. ¶6. (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. SANDERS