POTUS ADDRESS TO THE MUSLIM WORLD INSPIRES MALIAN MUSLIM

UNCLAS BAMAKO 000432


AF/PD ANYASO, EHRNMAN, LISENBY; AF/W NARKIS; IIP DOMOWITZ, BERGIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL ML
SUBJECT: POTUS ADDRESS TO THE MUSLIM WORLD INSPIRES MALIAN MUSLIM
LEADERSHIP


1. Summary. The June 4 POTUS address to the Muslim world was
extremely well received by Malian Muslim leaders. While a variety
of anecdotal evidence indicated that the speech resulted in public
blessings for the President and the United States in Friday prayers
around Bamako, two letters from important Malian leaders provide
concrete evidence of the positive influence the speech had in
expanding the already excellent relations between the American
people and the Malian faithful. End Summary.

High Council of Islam Addresses Letter to President Obama
--------------


2. The Malian High Council of Islam (HCIM) is the most important
Muslim association in the country. The HCIM, created in January
2002, is an umbrella organization regrouping most of the other
Islamic associations and NGOs (including Muslim women organizations)
in Mali. The principal interlocutor of the GOM on all Islamic
issues, the HCIM is represented in all of Mali's eight regions and
is also the Embassy's main conduit for generalized outreach to
Malian Muslims.


3. At a June reception at the Ambassador's residence, the current
HCIM President, Mr. Mahmoud Dicko, pulled the Ambassador aside to
congratulate us on the speech and to inform her that a letter would
be sent addressed to President Obama in this regard. On June 18,
the following letter was received:

Begin Translation.

Mr. President,

Along with the rest of the world, the Muslim community in Mali
closely followed your speech in Cairo on June 4 addressed to men and
women around the world in general and to Muslims in particular. We
continue to be impressed by the grand rhetoric of the speech, the
sincerity of its provenance, and the great hope that it inspired.

Mr. President,

We would like to take this opportunity to affirm that you have made
your own the cardinal values of Islam, capable of building a world
of peace. Your profound aspirations, expressed with firm
conviction, echo those of other great men who have been made
immortal by their service to humanity, and their capacity to build a
better world. We also have proof that you understand that America
can continue to be great while at the same working towards a world
rich in diversity. This world vision, we assure you, is one that we
share.

Mr. President,

In the name of the Malian Muslim community, we say to you,
"Congratulations" for your pragmatism and your pursuit of our common
interests, including that of the United States. We pray soon the
world will be able to say, "Obama said it, and he did it."

Formal closing,
Mahmoud Dicko
President
Chevalier de l'Ordre National

End Translation.

Conservative Imam Sends Condolences to the American People
--------------


4. One of Mali's most socially conservative Muslim leaders, Mohamed
Kimbiri, is also the director of the largest Muslim radio station in
Bamako. Kimbiri, an excellent contact and frequent participant in
Embassy events, received a grant for VOA equipment in 2008 that
allows him to broadcast Radio Sawa to his one million listeners in
the Bamako area.


5. On June 23, Kimbiri sent the following letter to express his
condolences on the metro crash in Washington, DC. While it does not
specifically mention the speech, we know that he was inspired to
write this letter as a result of the positive feelings generated by
the June 4 address and as the eyes of the Malian Muslim community
are focused on the President and Washington, DC.

Begin Translation.

Madame Ambassador,

It is with considerable sadness that I write to you regarding the
news of the sad death of nine people and the multiple injuries
caused by the metro accident in Washington, DC. The loss of so many
people at one time is a cruel event.

The train accident has left the United States - an unconditional
ally to my country, in mourning. We have heard from many observers,
including the Mayor of Washington, that this was the worst accident
in the history of the metro in Washington.

Aware of the solidarity that unites the United States and its
citizens, and understanding the enormous pain caused by the death of
so many, I join President Obama and his wife, Michele Obama, in
presenting my deepest condolences to the family of the victims and
in hoping for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Formal closing,
Mohamed Kimbiri
Member of the High Council of Islam
Director of Radio Dambe, "Voice of the Muslims"

End translation.


Milovanovic