N E G A S H I - OJ

Ever since the government came to power, it has been pretending to stand for equality of all citizens and committed to uphold the freedom of worship. In fact, this basic right of citizens is clearly outlined in the constitution of the country. However, words on paper can not transform themselves into action.

For some time now Ethiopian Muslims have been under attack by fanatic Christians and Missionaries. This with or without the consent from the officials of the government. There have been times when various atrocities were blamed on Muslims while they themselves were victims of the very same atrocity. The Jimma incident is just one such case where Muslims were made to sustain criminal acts and blamed back for the atrocities that they have not committed.

With the passage of time the real face of the administration is becoming vivid, particularly its hatred towards Islam and Muslim values. So far attacks on Muslim values and Islam in Ethiopia were blamed on a third party. This has been long a point of doubt in the mind of many of the victims. This is principally because the government has failed repeatedly to investigate the crimes and bring the culprit to justice. At one point a mockery of justice was made when a very criminal caught red-handed while using the pages of the Quran for sanitary purpose was given a legal cover up, in essence, providing a go-ahead sign to similar crimes. That all is no more necessary. The time has come that such attacks need not be camouflaged any more. The government’s secret policy need not be kept any more secrete. That is why concise statements are being coming out making the position of the authorities with regard to Islam and Muslim values ever clear.

According to the weekly Muslim newsletter - al-Qudus, the officials of SNNP held a meeting on Tikimit 24/1999 with parents of students to discuss the ban on Hijab in elementary and secondary schools across the region. The officials rebuffed the request of the parents who requested that the right of their children to observe their religious obligation be respected. The officials further told these parents, who still harbor some hope in the sincerity of the ruling government when it pretends to respect the religious freedom of the people it rules, that  the EPRDF policy does not stand that Muslims wear their hijab.

Hijab is against the policy of EPRDF. It is used for nothing but as a cover for mischief. We will stop any one who allow the wearing of hijab!

What else is not against the policy of the “mighty” EPRDF? Even obtaining plot of land to construct worshiping place, a charge its fundamentalist and conservative critics put forward as this violates their historic heritage, could not be saved. Earlier on 31/10/06 a government delegate led by the state vice president of Tigray, Ato Abadi Zemu, told a gathering of Muslims in Axum how on earth they were to be given a land to build a place of worship while his forefathers had never done that. He thus declared:

We are not going to give you a place for building a mosque because this has not happen before, our forefathers didn’t allow it to happen!

For the last 16 years we have seen various measures taken to curb the Muslims’ aspiration to equality. Most of us, including this blogger, thought that was just mal-practice of the remnants of the previous regimes. We had no knowledge of that all that were part of the realization of its policy and an attempt to safeguarding its heritage, one that kept Muslims to the best as second citizens. How deaf and blind we have been for this long!

Source: Ewenet

Very few Ethiopians doubt that Meles has invaded Somalia to fight the UIC so that he gain Western support for his undemocratic and corrupt government. This view is widely held by the vast majority of Ethiopians regardless of their religion. More than anything, Ethiopia’s 77 million Muslims and Christians want peace, democracy and development. All this is completely lost on the western media. In fact, it is nothing short of irresponsible how the western media has done more to sell Meles war in Somalia than the Ethiopian government itself.

Meles has always spun himself as a key ally in the War on Terror by pushing the image of Ethiopia as “a secular island in a sea of Islam”. Never mind that modern Ethiopia is a multiethnic nation of both Muslims and Christians. The western media, probably after checking say-Wikpidea on the demographics of Ethiopia, have come up with an even better spin for Meles. It goes something like this: The UIC is a threat to Ethiopia because Ethiopia has a large Muslim population.

When it comes to Muslims, one can not expect any modicum of reason or objectivity from the western media. The fact that Ethiopia’s Muslims have their own local traditions, struggles and aspirations specific to their place in a multi-religious Ethiopia is ignored. To the western media, all Muslims everywhere including Ethiopia, think and act alike and are a threat until proven otherwise.

• Read more: Meles’s War Drummers

Source: Ethiopia for Equality and Freedom

Can Ethiopia avoid war with Somalia? was a question that posted on AJE platform for discussion. The thread was initiated after Ethiopia called war on Somalia and many have shown some kind pessimism. Regrettably I am one of them that see there is unnecessary, unjust war coming up between these two of the world’s poorest country. The world have been crying all along that these could be the beginning of regional conflict but the millions of peace lover who gathered on the street couldn’t save millions of Iraqis from the suffer after the war mongers in US decided to invade.

Looking closely at what is going on one clearly understand that the declared war against the Somalia is nothing but continuation of the war US opened against the Islam and Muslims. US is allying with dictators all over the world to spread its hegemony and control resources and all areas that they see strategic. It was years back when Meles get married with this policy with Kenyan president at the white house with Bush.

No doubt that all peace lovers Ethiopians are against despite their believe or political affiliation as it has its own risk and no justification at all.Meles has deployed military in sovereign country breaching the embargo that UN imposed on Somalia. After long denial Meles has admitted the presence of the troops but yet the world failed to send strong message? It is obvious, that these dyas international community means nothing but the US administration and we hardly see any body daring to face their arrogance.

The Unions of Islamic Courts have done what the world have failed to do in 16 years.They restored peace and for the first time the Somalis are freed from the warlords , mainly backed by Meles and US , terrorized the community and could see light at the other end of the tunnel. Despite some hard-line actions here and there the Islamists have declared they have not intention to take a power and recognized the weak TFG as the only legitimate body in Somalia despite the marvelous job that the world witnessed. In 2 years time the TFG couldn’t even stabilize the only town that they control and couldn’t end their internal conflict.

• Read more: Take Action Before the War Starts

Have you ever had an expriance on how an enslaved and a librated Muslim representative (libration need to be seen on a relative scale and does not necessarily mean an absolute libration) would smell if you are to bring these two close to your sense organ?  Even if you don’t have prior experience, it is not hard to guess - just read the last two postings, compare them in light of reason and honesty. You will then tell me and others on this blog what difference you are to discover.

Jijjiga, November 26, 2006 (WIC) – The inhabitants of Somali State firmly stand by the government as the jihad declared against Ethiopia by the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) mainly targets the people of the state, Muslim clerics of the state underscored.  

Imams,representatives of sharia courts,Islamic affairs offices and mosques as well as elders drawn from the state said the war declared by the UIC against the country would above all victimize the people of Somali State.

Somali State Sharia Courts President, Sherif Mohammed Sherif Abdi-Seid,said the war declared by Hassen Tahir Aweys and his cliques,former communists who fought hard to destroy Islam,is aimed at impeding the development of the inhabitants of the Somali State and undermine their peace.

The declaration of the extremists to seize Somali State and reign on the people of the State whose constitutional rights have been respected is shameful,the President said, further calling on the brotherly people of Somalia to rise up against these forces.

Islamic Affairs Office Head,Sheik Omar Farah Mohammed,said on his part that declaring jihad against Ethiopia,the country that welcomed Islam first and foremost,is illegal and unacceptable by the religion.

Sheirf Abdulahi Sherif Aden Nur said though the extremist group led by Hassen Tahir Aweys failed to inflict serious damages during the past 15 years due to lack of capacity,it has been attacking Ethiopia and the people of Somali State in particular by blowing up hotels,recreation centers and killing civilians.

He also stressed that the group which has declared war against Ethiopia taking advantage of the support of some countries should be contained once and for all before it causes serious damage.

He further urged the state government and the muslim community in the state to stand by the government and repulse the invasion to preserve their unity and dignity.

Voice of America
November 27, 2006

Muslim leaders in Kenya are warning the government against allowing foreign militaries to use Kenya as a staging ground for war against Islamists in neighboring Somalia. VOA Correspondent Alisha Ryu has details from our East Africa Bureau in Nairobi.

Kenyan Islamic leaders meeting in Nairobi say they believe the country is in danger of being dragged into the brewing conflict in neighboring Somalia and becoming another front in the U.S.-led war on terror.

The secretary general of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Sheikh Muhammad Dor, tells VOA that Muslim leaders here are particularly concerned over reports they are hearing of tanks cited near the Ethiopian and Somali border, leading to speculation the Kenyan government may have allowed Ethiopia to move some of their heavy armored vehicles to the Somali border through towns in northern Kenya.

“What we are saying is that we have eyewitnesses, who saw military tanks. The tanks were in Mandera, Isiolo, Moyale and Garissa. This is not rumor,” he said.

• Read more: Kenya’s Muslim Leaders Will Not Cooperate in War Against Somalia

 http://ewenetethiopia.blogspot.com

One of the disturbing tendencies of some Ethiopian Christians when they write about Islam in Ethiopia is how they attack Ethiopian Muslims by making pretentious arguments against “Wahabism”. Read a typical discourse against Wahabism and it becomes abundantly clear that the author is really not so much concerned about Wahabism but the fact that many Ethiopian Muslims have become more visibly devout, are building mosques, are adhering to personal Islamic laws and are showing more pride in their Islamic heritage. This is something that many Ethiopian Christians can ‘t seem to accept.

Recently, Ato. Nemera Waqeyo wrote a paper titled “What was the government’s role in the attack of churches by fanatic Muslims” which examines the possible causes for the recent communal violence in Jimma. Ato. Nemera’s main point is that there is a growing fanatic Islamic sect in Ethiopia-Wahabism-that is a threat to Ethiopia’s Christians and might have also been behind the violence in Jimma.

His paper is very revealing in that it shows the extent of how many Ethiopian Christians are very opposed to the fundamental rights of Ethiopian Muslims. Ato. Nemera essay is nothing more an expression of hostility towards prominent Ethiopian Muslims, mosques and any visible presence of Islam in Ethiopia. He barely conceals his resentments by pretending to be concerned about Wahabism. In fact many of the points he makes in his paper have nothing to do with Wahabism at all.

• Read more: Resenting Ethiopian Muslims

By LES NEUHAUS
Associated Press Writer

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - About 2,000 people demonstrated on Saturday to demand the release of an Ethiopian immigrant sentenced to 10 years in prison in the United States for mutilating the genitals of his 2-year-old daughter.

For a wider coverage of Khalid’s case, visit also Nazret.com

Khalid Adem, 30, was convicted on Nov. 1 of aggravated battery and cruelty to children by a court outside Atlanta. It was believed to be the first such criminal case in the U.S.

The protesters marched peacefully around one of the squares in the Ethiopian capital, chanting “Free Khalid.” They were watched from a distance by dozens of policemen.

• Read more: Ethiopians Protest U.S. Mutilation Case

Jimma - Killer sentenced to death
Sourced indicated that the person who killed four Muslims on the eve of Meskel (26.09.06), one of the reasons believed to have led to subsequent choas in the region, was sentenced to death. The court delivered its verdict on Thursday, 16.11.06.

Majlis’s plan to borrow money on loan
According to the weekly al-Qudus newsletter, the Majlis’s plan has got difficulty because of opposition from some of the members with the institute. The money the Majlis was planning to borrow was seven million birr.

Majlis to borrow Money from a bank 
Sources informed Negashi that the Federal Majlis is borrowing money on credit from Wogagen Bank. In securing the money they are to give the plan of their office in Addis as a guarantee. The money, the exact amount not yet disclosed, is to be used to rent house in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj process.  It is to be recalled that for the first time this year no one was able to go for Umra. This was mainly because of the failure of the Majlis to settle matters with concerned offices well in advance of the journey. Yet the Majlis used the opportunity to collect money from the poor. It had taked 300 birr per head from 18,000 Muslims who were registered for the Umra Journey. Many are now wondering where the 5.4 million birr had gone so much so that the Majlis was obliged to borrow money from a bank with interest. Interest, Riba, is one of the gravest of sins – Haram Akbar - in Islam! Given the gravity of this act, it is beyond one’s comprehension that an institute that claimed to represent the Muslim community would go so low.

Negashi would like to mentioned here that the building that they are offering to the bank is the property of Ethiopian Muslims and every citizen has to stand and strive to stop such a deal between those unelected and corrupt people in the Majlis and the bank. The bank need to be informed that those people has no any authority what so ever to use the building to borrow money.

Ban on Salat 
Information that reached Negashi has indicated that Gonder University banned Muslim students from praying Salat. Female students are further forbidden from wearing their Islamic dress. According to the official ban made known to the students on the 12.11.06 through a post on the administration’s notice board, the ban is to be effective as of the following day, 13.11.06. The notice further made clear that students who don’t abide by the new ban will immediately be referred to police (to the tarnished federal police to be specific). Muslim students are opposing the ban and made clear to the officials that forbidding them from practicing their religion is against the constitution of the country. They further reminded the them that Salat is one of the five pillars of Islam and forbidding them not to observe this basic tent of their religion is not less than banning Islam all together.
 
Similar step was also taken by Bahr Dar University. Christian students of the campus collected petition to demand the regional president to issue a declaration that restrict Muslim students from practicing their religion, mainly from performing their Salat. Accordingly the president ordered the university officials to respond to the demand. The university officials subsquently summond representatives of the Muslim students and told to stop performing their prayers within the premises of the campus.
 
The ban on Salat is also reported from various schools in Shashemene and Silte Zone (Hulbarg Woreda). Following this ban, many students are boycotting their schools. Efforts by Muslim students and religious leaders to discuss the issue with school officials were unsuccessful. They were told that the matter is decided by higher authorities and there is as such nothing to discuss about it with them.
 
Halaqa Qirat banned in Jimma  Zone
The authorities in Jimma Zone are arresting Muslim scholars and their students. The arrest came after they put a ban on Halaqa Qirat – a traditional Quran learning system where students came from various corners of the country to a scholar known for his deep and extended knowledge of the religion. In a week time, the number of Muslims arrested in connection to this ban is in the hundreds. Many of the students arrested came from Wollo, Wellega, Bale, Harar and different Woredas in the Zone. Some of them are arrested in Agaro police station.
 
Similar news has indicated that while the mayor of Agaro town, Ato Fuad, is still in prison, a new person named Shimelis was appointed to assume the position.

Taking into account the past incidents, Muslims are increasing becoming aware that the actions taken by fanatic Christians, missionaries and the government are part of a coordinated and nation wide anti-Islam, anti-Muslim campaign in the country.