US "treasures Islam" says envoy in Nigeria

Feb 4, 2007, 17:40 GMT

Abuja - The US ambassador in Nigeria John Campbell during a visit to that country's north-western Sokoto Caliphate on Sunday said that the United States 'treasures Islam.'

The Sokoto Caliphate, founded in the 19th century by the legendary Othman Dan Fodio, was the first area of Nigeria to embrace Islam.

Campbell was Sunday paying a courtesy visit to the Caliphate and the direct descendant of Othman Dan Fodio, Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar III, the current and the 20th sultan of Sokoto and the supreme leader of Nigerian Muslims.

'While here in your palace, I want to tell the entire Muslim community in Nigeria, through you, that America treasures your friendship and honours your faith,' Campbell said.

'Islam is a religion that inspires hope and grants solace to more than a billion Muslims around the world, including millions of American Muslims,' the envoy added.

Campbell said Americans knew that Sokoto was an important cultural and religious centre in northern Nigeria.

'Throughout West Africa, the triumphs and splendour of the Sokoto Caliphate ... are well known and celebrated,' he said.

Responding, the Sultan said Nigerians valued 'our relationship with countries that identify with us, and the United States is among them.'