Nigerian monarch says his palace is open to all
ICC Note
The leader of Nigeria s Muslims called upon Christian and Muslim Nigerians to live in harmony. As we have repeatedly reported, radical Muslims have been killing Christians in Northern Nigeria as early as October 2007. We hope that the Sultans words will restrain the radicals.
November 7, 2007 Nigeria (Afriquenligne) - The Sultan of Sokoto in Nigeria 's northern state of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, says his palace is open to all Muslims and Christians to promote peaceful co-existence.
The Sultan, who addressed staff members of the consulate and Nigeria 's Permanent Mission to the UN, said: "We are also open for dialogue, so as to bring Nigerians closer to each other, irrespective of religion and creed to foster cordial relations and understanding."
He urged Nigerians to live in harmony and respect each other's religion to promote peace and unity in the country.
He said he was better positioned to talk on the twin-issues based on his experiences as a former military officer, who had served on UN peacekeeping missions and Defence Attaché in some Islamic nations, including Iran , Saudi Arabia , Pakistan and Afghanistan .
"I am also well positioned as the spiritual leader of Nigeria 's Muslims to dwell on the issues at stake."
The monarch, who is on his first visit to the U.S. , after he ascended the throne in November, 2006, arrived in New York on Sunday night on a seven-day visit.
