N E G A S H I - OJ

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: dont give up the fight!
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The rest of this entry is deleted on request from my visitors. I have decided however to leave the above text for it is the core of the message I wanted to transmit. It is possible that my choice of Bob Marley is wrong and can be seen as “carelessness” on my part but the message I wanted to transmit is just this: for Ethiopian Muslims to “Get up, Stand up: Stand up for Their Rights.” I will soon come back to treat “Why and How”, insha Allah.

I would like to express my appreciation for my brothers and sisters who have commented and expressed their displeasure about my choice. Please keep up with your comments in the future. It is that way that we can improve the service Negashi OJ strive to provide.

Mekelle University has dismissed three of its Muslim students. The three were found guilty of possessing and reading of the Holy Quran. Effort by the university Muslim community to negotiate with the authorities and persuade them to recall the unjust measure has so far failed.

On Monday. Megabit 22, student Muhammad Yesuf, Ibrahim Hussien and Ismael Tadesse left their room after Subh (Morning) prayer and went to a room that they use for studying. One of them had a phone from where he was listening to a prerecorded Quran using his ear phone. The other had an Amharic Translation of the Quran. These two had also pocket size original Quran in Arabic in their pocket. The Third one has a medium sized Quran and a small tape recorder. He was reading the Quran silently.

The president of the university apparently tipped by a cleaning lady who saw the three entering the room with their visible Muslim appearance, came to the room and found the three possessing these “illegal” materials thus performing an “Illegal” act. He demanded for their ID card and Meal Card. He then took the Quran and tape recorder with him. The Three followed him up to his office and begged for his compassion. Nevertheless the man was unbending to these innocent students of his. He passed his outright decision to dismiss them and sent order to the Dean of Students to implement the decision. The next day, as the students went to the restaurant for breakfast, the three read their dismissal from the notice board. Read the letter from the Dean of Students on the dismissal of the three students.

It is to be recalled that Mekelle University was the first to deny Muslim students space to offer their prayers. From their history of intolerance to Muslim students and their stern position not to give any space for Muslim students to practice their religion, the top leadership of the university is believed to be an indirect architect of the directive the Ministry of Education prepared and oblige Muslim students to choose from their study and religion.

Ethnic Somali separatists have been fighting government forces in the east of Ethiopia for more than 13 years now, but the long-running conflict has been largely invisible as Addis Ababa has restricted access to the region.

There have been numerous clashes between the Ogaden National Liberation Army (ONLF) and the military in recent months, with both sides claiming successes.

But with few journalists in the vast and sparsely populated region that borders Somalia, it is difficult to get an accurate picture of how frequently the fighting occurs and its toll on human life.

However, Al Jazeera gained exclusive access to the region and found that youths, angry at the treatment of the local ethnic Somali population the government, were flocking to join the separatists. For a full reporting visit Al Jazeera

Addis Ababa, March 18, 2008 (Addis Ababa) - The 1,483th birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed would be colorfully celebrated on the coming Thursday all over the country, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council said.In a statement sent to ENA on Tuesday the Council said that the Millennium birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed would specially be warmly celebrated in Albuko Woreda of South Wollo Zone, Amhara State.

Mosques in the country have undertaken various preparations for the celebration.

Mawulid, anniversary celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is one of the controversial issues within the Muslim Community Some devote every thing they have to colorfully celebrate it while others abhore it and in extreme situation elevate the act to the level of Shirk, a sin for which there shall not be any pardon. We all have listened, watched and read discourses that are pro and aganist the act. Neither of the two position has so far managed to bring an end to the other.

For Ethiopian Muslims, this years anniversay celebration brings with it another issue. This year’s Maulid is to be celebrated at a historic site of what is known as “Getta”. Getta is where “ye Gettaw Shaykh” established one of the 18/19th century center of excellence for Islamic learning, a center for the expansion and strengthening of Islam in Wollo and beyond. With the fact that Maulid is to be celebrated at this site, we may tend to raise various issues: Who was this Gettaw Shaykh? What contribution he made for Islam and Ethiopian Muslims? What is his legacy? How is that legacy known, kept, and promoted by the present generation? At what state is the site at the moment? What responsibility do we all have to keep such historic sites and promote the legacy of the fathers and mothers who did so much to keep Islam in that country?

Having the controversy revolving the celebration of the birth day anniversary, let me invite you to share ideas on the points I raised above. Lets use the opportunity to know about one of our heroe’s - Hajji Seid Bushira - Alias ye Gettaw Shaykh. Lets use the plateform to give what we know on this topic and receive what others are to offer us.

Earlier Eid Al Adha was celebrated at Dire Shaykh (Bale) - another center of prominance and believed to be established by Shaykh Hussien. Ashura was celebrated at Nejashi in Wuqiro (Tigray) - a site believed to carry in it the bones of the Just King, King Ashama and many companions of the Prophet (May Allah have mercy on all of them). Lets also share knowledge on the contribution and achievement of these great people.

[Ethiopia for Equality and Juctice] After the police confiscated computers and printers followed by shunning of their printing press two newspapers are on the verge to suspend their job.

Al-quds and Salafiya newspapers editors were arrested for what The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described as critical journalism, before they were released on bail of 20,000 Birr. The committee condemned the arrest and asked immediate return of the all confiscated equipments.

In interview made by Negashi radio (listen to Radio Negashi )with Alquds editor, Ato Izadin, and his wife Maria who have been arrested with her husband expressed the daunting challenges that they are facing to continue their job. Ato Izadin said the amount of the money they paid for bail is un-proportional and too much for them, with the case.

• Read more: Ethiopia (Diaspora): A Plea to Save Ethiopian Muslim Newspapers

I have been receiving calls and emails to verify the truth about rumour which claims that Hajji Umer Idris is arrested. This was alleged to be broadcasted by one of the radio’s in the United States, to be specific in Washington DC. The claim is utterly false and the Shaykh is well and doing his activities undeterred. Negashi OJ talked to the Shayk few minutes ago and the shaykh is very much surprised about the report and assured us all that he has done nothing other than calming the people and reflecting its concerns. By this he said he is helping not only the umma but also the government which need to give attention to the concern of the citizen. He could not see any reason for which he is to be put in prison.

Lately, Sh. Umer stood against the disgusted Elias & Co. and aborted his clandestine effort to victimize Muslims by endorsing a document that deny them access to education. This of his position pushed many to speculate the shaykh would be the next victim of the cursed Elias. The radio broadcaster seems to have used this feeling of the people to disseminate its falsehood and confusing reports.

The Editors of the two weekly Muslim Newsletters Al-Quds and Salafiyya Ato Ezedin Muhammed and Ato Ibrahim, and owner of the former, W/O Maria were released today, February 29, 2008. The three were arrested two weeks ago allegedly for publishing letters attributed to Ato Elias Redman. Initially police refused to complay with the order of the court to release them but finally released them with a warning not to write any thing about this man who enjoys the love and confidence of the ruling party and other anti-Islam, anti-Muslims fanatics for very long time now. Ato Elias is the right hand person of these bodies to manipulate the affairs of Muslim.

More on the circumstances on their arrest and eventual release is comming soon.

Editor of Al-Qudus weekly Newsletter, Ato Ezedin Muhammed along with his wife W/o Maria Qadi Abafita, and editor and owner of Salafiyya Newsletter Ato Ibrahim were arrested yesterday, 16/02/07. Ato Ezedin and W/o Maria were taken by about 10 security personnel from their home.  Their computers, camera, Printing materials and other relevant accessories were also taken by Police.

Ato Ibrahim was picked up as he left a Mosque; he was then driven to his home where all his production materials were also confiscated. According to the family of Ato Ibrahim, the security personnels who arrested hem are from Addis Ababa Police.

As per internal sources, the reason for their arrest is their reporting of the developments in the draft regulation the Ministry of Regulation prepared and for their insistence to keep the Muslims aware thereof. They have also published the letter alleged to be written by Ato Elias Rediman. In this letter Ato Elias called for the security to take severe measure against those elements who oppose the new regulation from being implemented in its present state.