N E G A S H I - OJ

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.

Harar Interest Advocacy Group International (HIAGI) wrote to the President of Harari Reginal State President, H.E. President Murad Abdulhadi, Harari Regional State Education Bureau and Harari Regional State Islamic Affairs Council and expressed ”its satisfaction and support for the stance adopted by Harari Regional State Islamic Affairs Council in relation to the proposal and directive of Ethiopian Ministry of Education about religious practices in public institutions in Ethiopia.” Read the full statement, PDF. 

It is to be remembered that the Islamic Council of Harari state and that of Eastern Hararghie issued statements about the draft educational regulation the Ministry of Education prepared. In their respective statements, the councils made clear that the draft regulation is against the provisions of the constitution, the supreme law of the country, and thus unacceptable. Members of the these two Councils are now being terrorized and harassed by the security force and are told to issue statements that reverse their previous statement, Mastebabia Megilecha. The latest information Negashi OJ could obtain indicates that the Harari Majlis has refused to concede to this demand and stood on its position that the draft prepared by the Ministry of Education is unconstitutional and can not be accepted. Members of the Eastern Hararghie Majlis are yet deliberating on this latest action.

The security has already arrested around 8 people whom it thinks have coordinated the steps taken by the two Majlis.

In the mean time, the Diaspora Harari Community and Ethiopian Muslim Communities and Organisations at large are expressing their appreciation for the Harari State and Eastern Hararghie Majlis as well as the Addis Ababa Majlis for their being assertive and effort to get their constitutional rights respected.

In a letter addressed to the Security and Immigration office, numbered 1883/65/2000 and dated Tir 26, 2000 (Ethiopian Calendar), the notorious Elias of the Federal Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs “ordered” the elimination of any resistance to the draft educational regulation. He made special mention of the Addis Ababa Majlis whom it represents in the Federal Council as a main obstacle to implement the regulation in its current state. He “ordered” the security apparatus of the Country to reign over and disband the committee set up by the Kilil 14 Majlis to follow up the regulation the Ministry of Education drafted.  The rejected Elias reiterated the commitment and determination of the Council he leads for the regulation to be implemented as it is. The day light Mafia also suggested for special steps to be followed and delude the Muslim Community, i.e delay the implementation until it is forgotten by the community - “SEW ESKEMIZENAGA”.

Why don’t you read the original article by by yourself and witness what this man is doing? 

Bear in mind his cheating does not stop here. He is giving every day appointment to the Committee it called for its elimination and the Addis Ababa Majlis to discuss the study output of the committee and its proposal to amend the regulation. Is he waiting until he finishes preparation for eliminate them, to get the security apparatus in place and get them sent to prison as they come to meet him? No one say for certainty what is planning but one thing is clear from this letter.

 The delegation of Addis Ababa Muslims left him naked as they met the Minister (if the Minister welcome him innocently) and exposed his Mafia style handling of the Muslims Issue. He is now acting like a ‘mad dog full of venom’.

Elias represents the Addis Ababa Majlis in the Federal Council. The Addis Ababa Majlis has long removed its representation and called for the removal of its two delegates from the Federal Majlis. The will of the Addis Ababa Majlis could not be materialised because as many think “this man is backed by a body powerful enough to keep him in place, a body for whom his existence is crucial to be able to manipulate the Muslims’ affair and paralyse the community at large”.

The ulema council of Addis Ababa held an extra-ordinary meeting with Imams, School Directors and Community leaders on Wednesday and delibrated on the draft regulation the Ministry of Education prepared with the intention of implementing it in all educational institutes, public and private, across the country. The Council welcame the Ministry’s effort to set up a standard code but critisized its content for its biased stand towards Muslims, its unconstitutionality, self contradition, and for its being a one that can only polarise our peaceful co-existence and would not contribute towards meeting the objectives of government educational policy. The Council challenged the Ministry about its claimed authority to put ban on religious freedom the constitution granted to Ethiopians.

The council’s stand is uncompromising on citizens right to freely practice their religion and express their cultural identity. Its position is well clear and straight forward and well received by the community. It has addressed all the anxieties of the Muslim community and carried suggetion and recommendations that the Ministry need to take into consideration.

To mention some:

• There should not be any restriction on the kind of cloths students may wear; islamic clothes should be allowed without any restriction since it doesn’t creat any obtruction the teaching-learning process.
• Students should not perform their religious duties at corridors. Since Salat is an obligation that can not be put aside, Students need to be given a separete place for this purpose.
• Class schedule should consider the obligatory Friday pray time.
• The type of food eduational institutions provide need to consider students religion and the opening hour need to be considerate of fasting periods.

 The Addis Ababa Muslims Millineum Committee is playing a leading role in brings the Ulemas together and creating the venue that made the delebration possible. The president, Sh. Abdulwase presented his study output and analysis of the draft regulation to the council. The council welcome the study and accepted its recommendations as its a framework for further engagement.

The Addis Ababa Ulema Council is led by Mufti Sh. Umer Idris. The Mufti is also the Vice Chairman of the Federal Ulema Council but for reason unknown to many the regulation was kept secrete to him until very recently. 

The muslim society is now over joyed with the the Ulema council’s perfect representation of their voice, worries and concerns.

The Ethiopian Television program carried on its midnight news hour a detailed report on the meeting of the council.

It is to be remembered that representatives of Addis Ababa Muslim Community (AA Majlis + Ulema Council) held discussions with the Minister of  Education Dr. Sintayehu a week ago and presented their concern on the draft regulation.

In another nationwide “Let our Voice be Heard” action, the Eastern Hararghie Islamic council sent letter to the PM office, the Mininstry of Education, other relevant Ministries and to regional offices and expressed its deep concern about the regulation. The letter carried a detailed analysis of the draft regulation and indicated its being against the constitution.

The Harari state Islamic Council issued a statement on the regulation the Ministry of education drafted and hoped to implement. According to the statement, the regulation brings more problem with it and undo whatever achievement so far gaind in that sector; thus unacceptable.

Read text of the full statementHope this examplary step of the Harari Supreme Council will motivate others to voice their concern.