Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA285
2009-02-13 13:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:
NIGERIA: REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AL-ARABIYA
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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).
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
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