US embassy cable - 01ABUJA3236

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 003236 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: KISL, OEXC, PGOV, PREL, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA - THE AMBASSADOR'S IFTAR 
 
1.  Ambassador Jeter hosted a very successful 
Iftar on Wednesday, December 12.  Although FSOs 
assigned to the (former) Embassy Office in Abuja 
had hosted Iftars in the past, Ambassador Jeter 
was the first U.S. Ambassador accredited to 
Nigeria to host an Iftar in the national 
capital.  I sent a strong message of goodwill to 
the Nigeria Muslim community and served as part 
of a larger effort to build mutual trust. 
 
 
2.  Attendees included several Ministers, 
Presidential Advisors, and the Inspector-General 
of Police, as well as three key figures in the 
nexus between Islam and Nigeria's broader civil 
society:  Justice Bashir Sambo, a renowned 
Islamic jurist and author who serves as 
Secretary of Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the 
 
SIPDIS 
largest Muslim civic group in Nigeria; 
AbdulMumin Bello; a leading official of the 
Islam in Africa Organization (IAO); Dr. Hadi 
Dahiru Bauchi, a Koranic radio commentator and 
son of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, one of the most 
influential scholars of Islam in Nigeria today; 
and Kabiru Yusuf, editor-in-chief of the "Trust" 
newspapers, the most influential print media in 
northern Nigeria.  "Trust" and most of its 
columnists have generally responded with 
skepticism to and sometimes rejected outright 
USG explanations for actions and policy in the 
war on terrorism.  Most of the Ambassadors and 
High Commissioners from Islamic countries who 
were in Abuja attended as well. 
 
 
3.  Guests were impressed with (in some cases 
pleasantly surprised by) the authenticity of the 
event -- from the provisions for a prayer area 
to the mix of Middle Eastern and traditional 
Nigerian fast-breaking food and drink.  A number 
stayed hours beyond the anticipated end of the 
event to talk about issues of the day, availing 
themselves of the prayer area for Isha'i as well 
as Magrib prayers.  The Ambassador's welcoming 
remarks elicited a positive response from 
Justice Sambo, deputized by other guests to 
reply.  Sambo emphasized the importance of 
events such as the Ambassador's Iftar to 
building inter-cultural awareness and 
understanding.  He recalled how much he 
benefited from a 1998 USIS-sponsored program of 
travel to the U.S. that included Archbishop of 
Abuja John O. Onaiyekan.  Sambo said the number 
of guests would have been far greater but for 
the fact that many prominent Muslims had 
traveled to Saudi Arabia for Umra.  He 
emphasized the importance of contact and 
dialogue, saying,"There is a lot of ignorance 
and mistrust among us.  The real terrorist we 
need to fight is ignorance." 
 
 
4.  Justice Sambo made it clear he expected the 
U.S. Ambassador's Iftar to become a tradition. 
We anticipate doing just that, but with some 
modifications.  First, we plan to arrange a 
separate women's Iftar next year.  There was 
insufficient time to arrange two Iftars this 
year.  While some in the Mission felt women 
should be included in the Iftar, our senior 
Muslim FSNs unanimously opposed the idea, saying 
that some invitees would feel the Embassy was 
trying to "impose" Western norms.  Since the 
major purpose of this event was to demonstrate 
respect for Islam and for the culture and norms 
of northern Nigeria, we chose to make this a 
male-only event.  Second, the Ambassador Iftar 
should be held mid-way through Ramadan in order 
to make certain we do not miss prominent 
personalities Who may be performing Unra. 
 
 
5.  There was considerable interest in and 
discussion of U.S. policy toward the Middle East 
-- particularly in respect of the conflict 
between Palestinians and Israel.  The Mission 
will by septel seek support for a speaker on 
this subject. 
 
 
6.   One of the guests decided just before 
leaving that the Ambassador and DCM should join 
in the Eid El-Fitr call on President Obasanjo. 
The call, preceded by brunch at the home of Vice 
President Atiku Abubakar, took place on 
Saturday, December 15.  The Ambassador and DCM 
were the only diplomats present in a group that 
included essentially all of the senior Muslim 
figures in Abuja that day. 
 
 
7.  The Vice President told the Ambassador how 
greatful he was that we had come to this 
important event and; President Obansanjo 
publicly thanked the Ambassador and DCM before 
the entire assemble group and the media. 
 
 
 
 
Jeter