US embassy cable - 02ABUJA2834

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002834 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR INL, AF, PM AND S/CT 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2017 
TAGS: KCRM, PTER, PGOV, NI 
SUBJECT: SHARIA AND ISLAMIC EXTREMISM IN KATSINA 
 
REF: ABUJA 2830 
 
 
Classified by Ambassador Howard F. Jeter.  Reasons: 1.5 (b) 
and (d). 
 
 
1.(U) The following are notes from USG officials who 
participated in a week-long ATF and U.S. Customs course on 
firearms interdiction in Katsina in late September (reported 
reftel). 
 
 
2.(C) Katsina is the state where the highly publicized 
adultery case of Amina Lawal is taking place.  During their 
week in the capital of Katsina, RNLEO and the ATF and U.S. 
Customs trainers noted contradictions in the application of 
Sharia.  A senior GON official, key to implementing the 
course and well disposed to cooperation with the U.S., voiced 
strong support for the Lawal stoning verdict.  He condemned 
her as an adulteress who deserved to die.  If for some reason 
her death sentence is overturned, he felt she should be sent 
to Italy "with the others," (a reference to Nigerian women 
trafficked to Italy for sexual exploitation).  This view was 
shared by many other Katsina residents. 
 
 
3.(C) Despite oft-expressed religious sentiments, the USG 
visitors noted a large commercial establishment within the 
city limits which serves as a "Sharia-Free Zone" (a nickname 
assigned by Katsina residents). Once inside its high compound 
walls, the USG visitors found beer for sale and well over a 
hundred customers enjoying alcohol and dancing.  Local 
prostitutes were also observed. When asked how such a glaring 
exception to Sharia law could exist, locals cynically replied 
that some of the ruling class had a stake in the 
establishment or enjoyed its services.  A similar 
contradiction was found by ATF trainers visiting the local 
Post office to make telephone calls to the U.S.  Outside the 
Post office was a newsstand selling a Nigerian men's magazine 
touting sexually explicit headlines. 
 
 
4.(C) The USG visitors also saw evidence of extremist, 
anti-U.S. sentiment -- posters, stickers and T-shirts of 
Usama bin Laden on display.  During a visit to the local 
market, RNLEO and lead trainer Patrick Clowry found an 
Islamic bookstore with publications in English, Hausa and 
Arabic.  Many of the publications, including ones on "Islam 
and Jihad" and "Israel and the Arabs" were published in Saudi 
Arabia, Pakistan or Northern Nigeria.  The store had no books 
on Usama bin Laden, but an articulate and educated young 
author running the store told the Americans that he hoped to 
soon publish a manuscript on the "West's Conspiracy to 
Suppress Islam and non-White Races" that would contain many 
bin Laden quotes.  When asked why he felt it necessary to 
spread anti-American sentiment, the author insisted that he 
was not anti-American; instead he wished only to report "the 
truth," which he added includes the KKK and Free Masons in 
the "West's Conspiracy."  He opined that his book, once 
published after he secures financial assistance, would sell 
well in the Northern Nigerian environment. 
 
 
5.(C) In the same market, RNLEO and Clowry found Usama bin 
Laden T-shirts in toddler sizes.  Some people denounced bin 
Laden and claimed that many local residents bought the UBL 
paraphernalia out of ignorance or to follow a fad.  However, 
it seemed that some residents of Katsina understood what UBL 
did and what he stood for but unfortunately were sympathetic 
to him. 
JETER