US embassy cable - 02ABUJA1090

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 001090 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR AF (PERRY), AF/RA, AF/PD, AF/W, OIIP, R 
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES FOR PAS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, SCUL, OEXC, NI 
SUBJECT: INITIAL REACTIONS TO POST INITIATIVES TO ENGAGE 
MOSTLY MUSLIM NORTHERN NIGERIA IN THE WAKE OF SEPTEMBER 11 
 
 
1.  This cable reports initial reactions from two Post 
initiatives to engage mostly Muslim northern Nigeria in the 
wake of the 9/11 attacks.  (Large numbers of Muslims are 
also in other parts of Nigeria, especially the populous 
southwest.  Nigeria probably has the largest Muslim 
population in all of Africa.)  The initiatives are 
"Magama", a Hausa-language monthly magazine, and a series 
of targeted mailings to Muslim leaders.  Some have decried 
our efforts as American propaganda and even those who 
praised the Embassy for undertaking direct communication in 
Hausa were not always swayed by the policy arguments 
conveyed. But the reaction so far has been overwhelmingly 
positive. 
 
 
2.  The first issue of "Magama", distributed at the end of 
January, went to 5,000 influential Hausa speakers in 
northern Nigeria.  Its content was heavily oriented toward 
the U.S. response to terror and the effects of that 
response--especially in Afghanistan, which had been 
liberated from Taliban control.   The cover photo was a 
close-up of a smiling Afghan woman. 
 
 
3.  The very first response we received was from a radio 
commentator at popular Aso Radio across town in Abuja.  He 
read excerpts of the incriminating Bin Laden tape taken 
from "Magama".  Upon leaving the station that day, he was 
accosted by some angry young men who accused him of being 
an American propagandist.  He defended reading the excerpt 
and, in fact, asked for an extra 10 copies of the magazine. 
 
 
4.  Another response reflected a similar division between 
radical and moderate Muslims.  In Kaduna, a hotbed of fiery 
Muslim clerics, a sheikh walked into the mosque before 
Friday prayers a week ago holding a copy of "Magama", which 
he showed to the Muslim faithful already seated in the 
mosque.  He denounced "Magama" as "an attempt by America to 
spread propaganda because they know we are unhappy with 
their attacks on Muslim brothers in Afghanistan."  The 
sheikh also condemned the recent visit to Nigeria by U.S. 
Speaker, Dr. Aly Abuzaakouk, who spoke to both Christians 
and Muslims about peaceful co-existence through interfaith 
dialogue.  Fortunately, the Chief Imam arrived and 
countered the sheikh's claims about "Magama".  He told the 
congregation that "Magama" was not propaganda, but a means 
of sharing information on U.S. policies towards Islam and 
other issues.  He said "Magama" should be seen as an 
instrument of peace, not conflict.  He also said the U.S. 
took the right decision by bringing Dr. Abuzaakouk to talk 
about peace. 
 
 
5. Some other reactions, in the form of letters or personal 
encounters, from readers of the first issue: 
 
 
"I am writing to you to show my appreciation to you for 
creating this important magazine, "MAGAMA."  It shows 
thoughtfulness and foresight on the part of the Public 
Affairs Section of the American Embassy to keep the 
community well informed. 
 
 
I would like to use this opportunity to call on all 
Northerners, other Nigerians and Hausa speakers in general 
to show interest in "MAGAMA" and to read the Magazine 
regularly.  I have no doubt in my mind that by reading 
"MAGAMA" our people would be more enlightened on U.S. 
policies and other World affairs, such as the question of 
the State of Palestine." 
 
 
"I commend the wisdom of the United States Ambassador to 
Nigeria Mr. Howard Jeter in starting this magazine, and for 
finding time to explain America's bilateral assistance to 
the developing world with details of the war against 
terrorists." 
 
 
"I am very pleased with the introduction of this magazine, 
aimed at explaining in detail the war against terror.  This 
magazine is very important because it will help educate a 
large number of Muslims, who erroneously believe that this 
war is against Islam, and that America is only using Usama 
bin Laden as a scapegoat to justify the war.  Now your 
magazine is proving that this notion is not true, just as 
it is in the Holy Koran, which says that no one has a right 
to take another person's life." 
 
 
"I read your report suggesting that before the Taliban, 
Afghan women were allowed to go to work and that in other 
democracies women contribute in nation building as medical 
doctors, nurses, teachers, journalists, judges and so on. 
I would like to inform you that Islam forbids women from 
mixing freely with men just for the sake of seeking earthly 
rewards.  Islam allows women to attend marriages, naming 
ceremonies, condolences, and to visit their families, but 
for a woman to just go out and do the kind of things your 
magazine talks about is improper.  It is against Islam.  If 
these are the kinds of story your magazine wants to 
circulate, I don't want to read your magazine again." 
 
 
"I want to express my displeasure with the sufferings that 
Muslims have been subjected to by America's unjust war 
against Islam.  The aim of this war is to destroy Islam, 
which is impossible. I would like to continue reading your 
magazine." 
 
 
"It is very good that you are communicating with us in our 
language, but you should cut back the propaganda; it is too 
heavy.  We want to read more about Nigeria and Africa." 
 
 
6.  In addition to publishing "Magama" (the second edition 
just hit the streets), Post has begun to translate 
Washington File items into Hausa and distribute them not 
only to the usual media contacts, but to a growing list-- 
now totaling 167--of Muslim leaders: clerics, legislators, 
traditional rulers, youth leaders, Islamic scholars, 
teachers, and women's leaders. 
 
 
7.  Again the response has been strongly positive.  We have 
placed our translated policy items in influential print and 
broadcast media in northern Nigeria.  One of the radio 
stations alone--FRCN Kaduna--reaches 25-30 million 
listeners.  Following are some of the reactions from the 
Muslim leaders, most of whom are pleased to get the 
materials and want us to continue: 
 
 
"It was thoughtful of you to deem it appropriate to send to 
us such wonderful and informative articles on happenings in 
the United States as a fallout from what befell the U.S. on 
11th September, 2001.  The gesture will facilitate a better 
understanding of U.S. policies in this war against terror." 
 
 
"While the forum members are open to dialogue, we believe 
that the US will contribute to world peace by fighting 
injustice wherever it exists, putting a halt to its 
selective war against innocent Muslims.  The first place to 
begin is Palestine.  Yes, we are interested in receiving 
these articles." 
 
 
"The documents enclosed are indeed most educative and 
refreshing.  I wish to point out that there is no mention 
of African Muslims' contributions in the on-going public 
dialogue and look forward to having such." 
 
 
"I particularly like the abridged paper of Dr. Diana L. 
Eck.  Though I am aware that the U.S. Government is 
tolerant of religious pluralism, the paper in question did 
put the magnitude of such tolerance in clearer 
perspective." 
 
 
"We would like to thank you for your articles and reports 
on terrorism, including the original Arabic transcript of 
the alleged Usama bin Laden video tape.  We shall make our 
thought on the issues known to you in due course, while 
looking forward to more articles in the future." 
 
 
"I am happy that you realized that we are in the capacity 
to organize and educate our fellow brothers and sisters 
about the policies of the United States of America on the 
war against terrorism, which I am made to understand after 
going through the articles, is not directed towards Muslims 
or the Islamic religion." 
 
 
8.  Post plans to expand the circulation of "Magama" by 
1000 copies per issue and we will ratchet up the size four 
pages per issue from the current 16 inside pages until we 
reach 32 pages.  This will allow us to give more generous 
coverage to US-Nigerian relations; MPP issues like 
democracy, bilateral cooperation on law enforcement, 
HIV/AIDS, and regional security and the mil-to-mil 
relationship, while keeping a strong focus on the War on 
Terror. 
Jeter