N E G A S H I - OJ

 by Aqibaw Yimer

Islam is a complete way of life founded on belief in One God: One God there is none like unto Him; One God without any Partner or Comparison; One God who begets not and One Who is neither begotten; One God who is Initiator of existence and One Who Ends it; One God Who is the Eternal. Any believer is expected to pronounce the declaration of Allah’s being One: Lailah Illa Allah (There is No Diety but Allah). One is expected not only to utter this by his/her tongue but also need to assimilate its message and implications with his real and day-to-day life. 

The Oneness Allah, a basic tent of the religion, manifests itself, among others, in the unity, oneness and brotherhood of the believers.

Verily, [O you who believe in Me,] this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: worship, then, Me [alone]! (Q021:092) 

And, verily, this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: remain, then, conscious of Me! (Q023:052)

All believers are but a single brotherhood. … and remain conscious of God, so that you might be graced with His mercy. (Q049:010)

Unity of believers is a stronghold of Islam. It builds and strengthens bonds not only between mankind and the Creator or among the people themselves but also strengthen the relationship between mankind and other creations. Islamic teaching commands believers to stay united and help each other. It is the only means to uphold and uptake the task of being vicegerents of Allah on earth (Q002:030). It is a force for all goodness, a purveyor of peace and justice for everyone. It provides stability in otherwise unstable and quarrelsome world. It guarantees the safety and well being of the Society at large. It is a means to freedom and triumph.

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin the ma`roof (all of Islam), and forbid the munkar (all that is evil; kufr): they observe regular prayers, pay Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” (Q009:071)

Seen at this slant, unity or brotherhood can be taken as synonymous to Islam.

As the status of unity and brotherhood in Islam is so high, it is so precious and dear for all those who have submitted their will to the Will of Allah. Any happening that promotes and elevates this is equally cherished.

Despite the above general truth and fact as far as the teachings of Islam is concerned, the Muslim community today is one of the highly divided and a society that suffer from internal strives and grudge. This unfortunate fact has some how reduced the role the religion as well as the community could play today in much of the global issues.

Ethiopian Muslims has not been immune of such division and discord among their ranks. Minor and insignificant issues were given precedence and even our learned men engaged in pushing ahead with their individual understanding than upholding the interest of the religion and the community. In the country’s long history of sufferings, our self appointed leaders have skilfully exploited the minor difference among Muslims in their policy of divide and rule and to leave Muslims downtrodden, backward and illiterate; measures systematically applied to keep them away from every thing of national affair. Yet God-fearing men and men of understanding have never lost hope and caught every opportunity to promote unity among Muslims and remind their fellow men of crucial issues that are left in the shadow the minor differences. A latest effort to that end started with a Muslim Diaspora delegation which visited the country a year ago.

BADR International Ethiopian Muslims Federation organised a high-level delegation of the Diaspora Muslim communities which visited Ethiopia in the period April/May, 2007. Apart from its mission to present to and deliberate with the country’s leadership on issues that has deterred the Muslim Community from playing its share in the affairs of the country, the delegation engaged the leading Muslim figures in the Addis Ababa and reminded them of their duty towards their religion and the Community they claim to serve. For those men of understanding who has been longing for any means to get out of the crisis that kept the Muslims community in anguish and made it captive in its own prison, this was like a morning sunshine that not only brings an end to the darkness of the night but also make over the coldness of the morning with elating warmth.

Believers are only they whose hearts tremble with awe whenever God is mentioned, and whose faith is strengthened whenever His messages are conveyed unto them, and who in their Sustainer place their trust. (Q008:002)

Remind (all who would listen), for, verily, such a remineder will benefit the believers. (Q0051:051)

• Read more: Unity and Brotherhood in Islam: Precious to Muslims, Painful to Hypocrites

A female Muslim student at Dire Dawa University has received a last warning letter written by the President of the University for failing to stop wearing Niqab (veil).  She was asked to stop doing it during the first semester but she told them to give her time since she was in the middle of the final exam.

The University has adopted its Students code of conduct from its Haramaya counter part with little adjustments a year ago.  Of the adjustments made the niqab case is the one. Old universities of the country do not forbid wearing neqab in their institutions. The student has been told to stop doing it till tomorrow (Thursday, May 08, 2008) , which other wise the president promised her for a more sever penalty.   Read here the Letter from the President office - Dr. Wogayehu Bekele

What the president is doing is clear breach of the universal human right Ethiopia claims to respect and has included in its constitutions. The action is also against the rule and regulation of the university itself. If such action was to be taken, according to the university’s rule, it should have been by the Discipline committee or by the Dean of students. Muslims do not expect such action to be taken especial in Dire Dawa , where the Muslim community is over whelmingly dominant.  

This uncalled-for provacation of the president of Dire Dawa university in the aftermath of the dismisal of three Muslims students from Mekelle univesity should be a call-up ring for Muslims to stand up in mass and demand for the respect of their civil and religious rights. If these happenings are to be left and Muslims are to receive them with negligence, then it is them to blame if tomorrow the worst happens. The measure taken by the president of Dire Dawa university can be taken as a good example for all university of the country. Our resolve was tested by Mekelle University when it sent home three Muslim students for possessing and reading Quran in its campuse. No individual or group has openly risen up so far to contest the measure. Dire Dawa has followed suit and my send home those who wish to dress them as per the prescription of their faith. If we are not to rise-up … then what would  be of surprise if we are told tomorrow to abandon our declaration of the Faith - Shahada? In Ethiopian case and under the situation we are testifying, albiet bit by bit - this is not an impossible or unexpectable. Most of us thought such double standard on Muslims were the case of the past .. they are now creaping in back and being institutionalised. Who is to speak for sure these measures are not part of an effort to re-instate the policy of Yohannis? After all our time has a lot to share with this man who never hesitated to perscute Muslims until his last breath.

Muslims need to stand in the face of injustices of this type with firm determination and may not show any indifference in measures that deny them the right to education or their right to freely express their belief. No one is to give one’s right. It is a natural part of our being. We are not born as captive to others - we are born free and clean. Right is to be claimed back by whatever means if one is denied of his/her rights by others, be it by group or by an individual. Muslims all over the country and beyond need to stand for the cause such brave sister stands for - stand for respect for the religious rights of Muslims - even if it is to cost her dearly. Action … Action … Action! As we do so, Insha Allah, Allah will be with us.

Negashi