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Muslims Pray For Bush's Defeat
MODERN technology, a mounting tide of anti-Americanism and the religious fervour inspired by the holy month of Ramadan have come together in a Nigerian bid to seek divine intervention in the US presidential election. Throughout the first two weeks of their annual month of prayer and fasting, Nigerian Muslims have been bombarded by mobile telephone text messages urging them to pray for US President George W. Bush's defeat. "A few days to US presidential elections, join us in praying for the defeat of Bush, an arrogant bigger evil and enemy of Islam and Muslims. Please pass to 10 others," one of the messages read.It is a campaign more likely to boost the profits of Nigeria's South African-run mobile telephone networks than unduly worry White House strategists, but the response on the streets of the northern city of Kano underlines the depth of anti-American sentiment. Kano has recently been the target of US investment in educational and economic projects designed to win over Muslims and counter the effect of the anti-US sermons in the city's mosques. But, in attacking Mr Bush, the mystery authors of the texting frenzy have been preaching to the converted. "Nobody needs to tell me to pray for Bush's defeat in the election in this holy season when prayers are most answered," said Nasiru Abdullahi, a 34-year-old tyre mechanic in the ancient trading city. "I have been praying for the defeat of Bush since Ramadan started and I will not stop until the elections are conducted. I am confident Allah will answer our prayers because it is a prayer against His enemy," he said. Posted by: Spineshank 2004-11-01 |
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