October 8, 2001	Monday	Rajab 20, 1422

KANO (Nigeria) Oct 7: More than 3,000 Muslims on Sunday attended a rally in northern Nigeria’s mainly Islamic city of Kano during which organisers expressed support for Osama bin Laden.

The peaceful rally, staged at Aliyu bin Abi-Talib mosque, was organised by the Kano State Council of Ulema and addressed by the group’s president, Ibrahim Umar Kabo, reported an AFP reporter at the scene.

The rally took place before US-led attacks began on Afghanistan late on Sunday.

“America’s definition of terrorism differs from that of the rest of the world. America is the biggest terrorist nation, given its record of unprovoked attacks on countries like Libya, Iraq and Sudan,” Kabo told the gathering.

“We condemn recent statement by authorities in Nigeria to help America in its search for imaginary associates of bin Laden,” he added.

He said that in his moment of tribulation, Muslims in Nigeria will not be cowed to disowning bin Laden, whom he described as a fellow Muslim.

Kabo said that the group “will not be deceived by America’s repeated assurance that it is not fighting Islam but waging a war against terrorism in the world.”

He condemned the US government’s offer to provide food and medical relief to displaced Afghan people, saying that “an enemy cannot offer you food and medical facilities all for nothing.”

The Islamic leader also said that Muslims in the state are prepared to give the governor of northwest Zamfara State protection in the event of a possible attack by those he called “anti-Sharia elements.”

He said that last week’s clashes in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, in which four people died, had more religious undertone.

He said that the intention of those who instigated the unrest was to sabotage the implementation of the strict Islamic code, also called the Sharia, in that state.

Four persons died while 30 others were injured when supporters of two rival political parties clashed Wednesday and Thursday.

Zamfara governor, Ahmed Sani, vowed Friday to lead a new wave of violence if the federal government failed to punish suspected instigators of the violence.

“If the federal government fails to take any decisive on them within three weeks, I will lead another round of violence because as a Muslim and governor of a Sharia-operating state, I cannot condone sacrilege on my religion,” Sani said.—AFP