Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COTONOU470
2009-10-01 10:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:  

BENIN: MUSLIM INTELLECTUAL ASSOCIATION QUESTIONS THE

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR PHUM BN 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHCO #0470 2741013
ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY ADBC4E89 MSI5583-695)
P 011013Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1141
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1526
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0475
UNCLAS COTONOU 000470 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
DEPT FOR AF/E JKNIGHT; AF/W ACOOK
LONDON FOR PETER LORD
PARIS FOR BKANEDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: MUSLIM INTELLECTUAL ASSOCIATION QUESTIONS THE
SECULARITY OF THE STATE

UNCLAS COTONOU 000470

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
DEPT FOR AF/E JKNIGHT; AF/W ACOOK
LONDON FOR PETER LORD
PARIS FOR BKANEDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: MUSLIM INTELLECTUAL ASSOCIATION QUESTIONS THE
SECULARITY OF THE STATE


1. (U) The Association of Muslim Intellectuals petitioned the
National Assembly on September 17 to express concern that the
government uses state prerogatives for religious proselytizing.
Citing Article 8 of the Constitution, which provides for equal
access of citizens to health, culture, information and training, the
Association denounced that equal access to the National Broadcasting
Corporation (ORTB) is denied to Muslims, whereas ORTB abundantly
broadcasts Christian programs and plays Christian songs even on
non-religious days. The petition outlined that Christian events
received heavy national media coverage to the detriment of the
Muslims. The signees called for equal access of all religious groups
to public media.


2. (U) The Association also cited "pernicious infiltration of
religion into the corridors of power". It criticized the fact that
the government gives Christian names to newly constructed public
infrastructures. The petition also condemned the fact that citizens
in military camps were forced to sing Christian songs during
training for national service.


3. (U) 1437 people from all parts of the country signed the petition
that was presented to deputies at a plenary session on September 22,
and subsequently submitted to the National Assembly's Law Commission
for consideration. The Association forwarded copies of the petition
to other institutions including the President's Office, the High
Authority for Media Regulation (HAAC),the Mediator of the Republic,
and Human Rights organizations.


4. (U) According to the 2002 census, 27 percent of the population is
Roman Catholic, 24 percent Muslim and less than 10 percent represent
other Christian affiliated religious groups including Evangelical,
Protestant, Methodist and other related churches. Benin is praised
for its religious tolerance and syncretism.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: A source informed Post that the Muslim
Intellectual Association who initiated the petition is close to
Habib Yaro, the Imam of the mosque of Zongo, an area in Cotonou that
is home to Muslims from neighboring countries including Nigeria,
Burkina Faso, and Niger. Imam Habib Yaro is influential but
controversial because of his strong opinions regarding religious
issues. Another source told Post that Halidou Lawal Daouda, a rich
Muslim business man close to the opposition G13 and influential in
the Muslim community, was also involved in the drafting of the
petition. Post believes that the petition may reflect the
opposition's wish to rally Muslim support for Abdoulaye Bio Tchane,
a potential challenger of President Yayi in the 2011 presidential
election. The petition is a clear criticism of evangelists'
increasing influence in President Yayi's inner circle. END COMMENT

BOUSTANI