N E G A S H I - OJ

«???? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????» a must read article (in pdf) by brother Abdella Adem.

Internal sources informed Negasho OJ that  Ato Elias Rediman ”orderd” Federal Police yesterday not to release Ato Ezedin under any conditions. He told them that Ato Ezedin failed to agree on the deal they graciously offered. He will never stop writing about the Majlis and its leaders. He reasoned further that this will create problem for the government. The response of the federal police is not immediatly known.

In the meantime Radio Negashi interviewed the wife of Ato Ezedin w/o Maria Qadi Abafita. A must listen for all.

The Chief Editor of Alquds weekly newspaper Ato Ezedin Mohammed appeared today Friday October, 26 2007 before the court. The court returned his case back to the police telling Ato Ezedin that he can settle it there. Police on its part told Ato Ezedin and his family to go to Majlis and once they settle the case there he will be freed without any delay or any condition. 

Majlis which is now proudly telling the family and the mediators (Shimagilewoch) that unless they [Ato Ezedin and family] agree to a deal they offered, he will remain in prison for longer time until such time that “Tigabu berdolet” accepts their condition. As reported earlier the condition they set is that his wife, owner of the license, gives them a guarantee that she would not allow to appear any negative article on her newspaper and Ato Ezedin, the editor of the newspaper promise not to write any negative about the majlis and the leaders. In his latest arrogance, Ato Elias is demanding that Ezedin call him directly and express his remorse and beg for pardon.

These conditions are totally rejected by Ato Ezedin. He told mediators and his wife and the rest of the family such shameful condition the majlis people forwarded are against his principle and ethics of belief and working. His journalistic discipline forbid him to agree to be blind and deaf while the sole institute of the more than 40 million Ethiopians is being damaged;  the name and honour of Muslims and Islam are belittled by few individuals. He made his position clear that in stead of accepting such a deal, he would rather stay in prison even if this costs him and his family dearly. On his part he is demanding authorities to explain to him and make public the reasons for his arrest, confiscation of the 10, 000 copies of his newspaper, the properties of the Muslim Community. 

In the meantime, Ato Elias and co. held today a meeting at ther center and deliberated on the issue. While Ato Yusuf believes that what has been done is enough to show him their power and suggested to tell police to release him, Ato Elias and Ato Teshale remained determined to keep him detained. For them it is not yet time to let him free -”Gena tigabu alberedeletim. Tinish yiqerewal ena ahun ayleqeqim”.

Information from the direction of the police indicates that Ato Ezedin can be charged of “Inciting people for violence and disturbance - Huket Yemefiter Wonjel“. Under this general accusation there are three sub charges or may better be called as evidences. 1) He quoted Dr. Zakir and by this he is promoting the opinion and position of terrorists. 2) He published an article entitled “Is the bible God’s word” on his newspaper. 3) He published articles that asserts that there are “verses in the Bible that have sensual implication”. 

These are officially known reason for which he can be charged. The real reason is however his criticism of the Majlis and its corrupt an inept leaders.  The real power behind his arrest are these same people who told the security to fulfil their wish. Our sources are suggesting that neither the police nor the court has any power in this matter. For them there is practically nothing to justify his apprehension in the first place. Nevertheless, they have to abide by and follow orders from the higher authority. 

Ezedin has been in prison for the last 15 days today without any reason. His determinations to expose the misdeeds of the Majlis and his courageous action to highlighted the Muslims of the state of affairs of the institution made him victim of bloodsucking individuals who can buy every one with their money and loyalty. These are individuals which would not leave a stone unturned to fulfil their guts.

The case of Ato Ezedin is not a case of an individual. For several years now he has been the sole and sustainable voice of the voiceless. He kept the issue of Muslims alive. He stood determined against crimes committed against Muslims and Islam in the country. He played a vital role in abridging the gap between Muslims at home and those in the Diaspora. His contribution to the cause of Muslims and Islam in Ethiopia is enormous. His case is thus not merely of his own but that of the more than 40 million Ethiopians Muslim. His case represents the struggle between half of the population of Ethiopia and few individuals whose loyalty to the politicians bought them their seat. 

It is obligatory upon all Ethiopian Muslims and others who believe in freedom and equality to condemn such injustice. Ethiopian Muslims in the Diaspora have to give this case the highest priority and organise actions that speed up Ato Ezedin’s release and make the culprit accountable to their deeds. Actions can begin with bringing his case to the attention of the Mass. The family needs our unlimited support as well. Ato Ezedin needs most likely a good lawyer to defeat the enemies of the mass.

Organised communities and their leaders need to plan actions and spearhead the effort. It is particularly a duty to organisation as BADR to take this responsibility upon itself and lead the mass for action. Though it’s silence so far is a big disappointment to people like me, it is still my hope that it will take the case from here on. The coming days and weeks will tell.

The Chief editor of Alquds weekly newspaper Ato Ezedin Mohammed will appear before the court btomorrow, Thursday October 26, 2007.

Right after his arrest on Octeber 11, 2007, eve of Eid Al-Afitr1428, there was a speculation that he will be charged for quoting Dr. Zakir Naik. However latest information indicates that the reason for his arrest has nothing to do with the speculated charge.

It is to be recalled that his wife was called to report police. After a long interrogation and pressure to fulfil some condition, if she want to see her husband released, the actual power which put him behind bars has come to be known, i.e. the mighty Elias Rediman and co.  The men are reported to have said that they will release Ato Ezedine if his wife assures them that he will not write any more negative about them on al-Quds newspaper. The license for the Newspaper was issued to Ato Ezedin’s wife.

We told him repeatedly to stop writing against us. We told the security and police t and they warned him. He refused to listen. We asked him if there is any thing that he may need from us so that we may fulfil his desire. We invited him repeatedly to our office. He never accepted our invitation and our desire to negotiate. Now if she [Ato Ezedin’s wife] is to guarantee us that he will not repeat such deeds any more, we will tell them  [the police] to release him right now!”

Sources suggest that if she is not to agree on the condition and accept the deal, police will request the court tomorrow for another 15 days “to document all the evidences against him and specify the charge”. This way he will be kept in prision for more time. He may then learn first hand how mighty the Majlis people are.

According to sources from the Majlis, Ato Eliyas Rediman, Ato Yusuf and AtoTashale are the ones who decided on the arrest and then told the security to effect this decision. This is how things work for Muslims. A power beyond all sorts of imagination. Nothing should be however beyond the hand of the trustworthy who willingly work agaist the interest of those in whose name they hold the seat!

Intermediators are working hard to beat a deal between Majlis and Ato Ezedin’s wife before his court appearance tomorrow.

Network of Ethiopian Muslims in Europe
Eid Al-Fitr 1428 Message

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Ethiopian Muslim communities and individuals around the world have continued to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadhana, the 1428^th Eid Al-fitr. On this great occasion, the Network of Ethiopian Muslims in Europe (NEME) extends its congratulation to all Ethiopian Muslims at home and in the Diaspora and expresses its wish for the event to be a jubilant and enjoyable event. Eid Mubarak! Read the Full Message (PDF)

The Editor in Chief of al-Quds newsletter, Ato Ezedin Mohammed, remained in Custody. He submitted yesterday an appeal for his release with a guarante. It is not immediatly known if he will be granted a release this time.  Earlier similar appeal for release was immediately turned down.

In the meantime, Ato Ezedin’s wife, woizer Maria Qadi Abafita was called yesterday, Oct. 18, 2007, to report to Sostegna Police Station where her husband was arrested. Until late in the afternoon, she did not return to her home. It is learnt that the lisence for the newsletter is on her name. Negashi OJ will get back with updates as more info. comes in. Stay tuned.

Islamonline.net 

CAIRO — Shukri Abdullahi Mohammed is still haunted by the horror scenes of soldiers raiding her village in the remote Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia on glooming June morning.

“I will not forget it,” the mother of seven told The Independent on Wednesday, October 17, from a ramshackle refugee camp in Somalia’s port town of Bosasso.

People in Kamuda, a village of 200 families in Ogaden, froze in horror on that June morning when 180 soldiers raised the village and kidnapped seven girls, aged between 15 and 18.

The horrified villagers later found three of the girls, bloodied and beaten, hanging from a tree. The other four were never found.

Every night, soldiers would knock on doors looking for women to rape.

“I did not want to wait until it happened to my family,” said Mohammed, who fled the village days after a 12-year-old boy was kidnapped and gang-raped by soldiers.

The story of Kamuda is just one more example of the kind of atrocities committed by Ethiopian troops against the people of Ogaden.

• Read more: Ethiopia’s Darfur

By Steve Bloomfield in Bosasso
The Independent

Early one June morning, in Kamuda, a village of 200 families in the remote Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia, 180 soldiers announced their arrival by firing guns in the air.

• Read more: Ethiopia: Ethiopia’s ‘own Darfur’ as villagers flee government-backed violence

Eid al-Fitr, the annual feast marking the end of the month long fasting period, Ramadhan, was celebrated in Ethiopian, like most countries around the world, on Friday, October 12, 2007 Eid al-Fitr. Over 2 million Muslims descended to the Stadium to take part in this annual prayer. Though the event lack proper organisation and the prayer time was delayed making time gap for Friday prayer shorter, many managed to flock their nearby Mosque. Though this year’s Eid marked as a turning point in the long human and religious history of the country in many ways, the day was passed with confusion and worry.

Ethiopian Muslims in the country, those in the capital specially, are accustomed to be greeted every friday by the weekly al-Quds newsletter. As always many were eager to read and get enlightend with articles on the great day and the event. To the disappointment of many worshippers,  however, the news letter was not on its usual place and no where to find it.

On the eve of the Eid, Thursday 11 October 2007, the chief editor of the newsletter, Ato Ezedin Mohammed, and its reporter were put in police custoday.  At the same moment over 10, 000 freshly printed copies of the newsletter were confesicated by police. After their arrest, they were then taken to ‘Sostegna‘ Police station, near Semen Hotel.

As the only Muslim newsletter in existent in the country, the Oct. 12, 2007 edition of al-Quds was loaded with articles on Ramadhan and Eid, Ethiopian Muslim History, Community News, Comparative Relgion and other issues of interest to Ethiopian Muslims.

For months, the editor of the newsletter was under heavy pressure not to publish any article involving Mislims’ rights and its violation, the misdeeds of the Majlis and any thing that may blame the authorities. Repeated warnings were given by the govenment’s security agents for the newsletter not to carry any thing about the Majlis officials, specially against the disgraced Ato Elias Rediman (Negashi don’t believe this man deserves to be given the title - Shaykh, a title to be given to a person who is well versed with the knowledge of the religion and leads a life in accordance with its principles. This man has neither the knowledge nor lead a life that is Islamic. He is but a disgrace to Ethiopian Muslims). According to inside sources this ‘govenment’s righthand man’ is behind the arrest of the editor and reporter and for the banning of the newsletter.

The arrested appeared briefly before a court on Monday, Oct. 15 and police demanded extra 15 days to assemble material against them. Sources indicate that they will be charged for quoting Dr. Zakir Naik from one of his widely watched video’s - “Jihad and Terrorism: an Islamic Perspective”.  On this video the doctor expressed his stand that he “can not say Osama is terrorist depending only with information from BBC and CNN. Number one Terrorist is Bush“. By quoting this doctor, some believe, police may try to link them with the America’s nightmare and its most wanted figure.

Just a year  ago (Oct. 07, 2006) Negashi OJ reported this man’s desire for all existing Islamic newsletters to be banned. It wrote back then: “Ethiopian Muslim news letters have to be shut down or put under its control” says the Majlis

FM 96.3 hosted yesterday, 06.10.06 a live discussion on the attacks launched by Fanatic Christians on Mosques in various towns in Jimma and Illu-Aba Bora (Illubabor) zones and the subsequent retalatory action taken by the Muslims of the area. The discussion was re-broadcasted later in the night by the national Radio. Among the participants was the face of the “Ethiopian Islamic Supreme Council” Ato Elias Ridman.

Ato Elias, who has come to be known as a person who is determined to stand as anti-Islam anti-Muslim in the country and a “face to the Majlis”, used the opportunity to call up on the government to shut Islamic news letter down. He told his listeners that he has written letter to the government with his request for the licence given to Muslim Newsletter publishers to be taken back and for them to be shut down or else put under its control. According to Ato Elias, the Muslims newsletter, Al-Qudus and Salaffiyya - are propagating “extremism in the country”.

No wonder that the person who has been secretly deliberating with the various Embassies, government offices and church authorities to eliminate any thing Islamic from the country is calling for the closure of those sources of information. By so doing he is steadily coming open and making his position clearer for the mass. As for those who know the person closely, he has never been there for Muslims. No one would expect him to be there now or in the future.

Contrary to his claim, these newsletters are known by the majority of Muslims as their only source of information on what is going on in the country. The newsletters repeatedly called on the Majlis to assume its responsibilities, show a genuine leadership and not to betray the Muslim population. This has come too irritant to “money addicted - blood sucking” leaders in the Majlis and wanted them eliminated. Would they succeed? For how long should we tolerate them and watch them bringing all the mess to the county at large and the Muslim community in particular? The council as institution belongs to us and we sacrificed lots of things to get it established. It is our responsibility to do whatever it demands to get it back and make our house clean from all such inept personalities.

I would like to extend my wish for a happy and enjoyable Eid al-Fitr, 1428.