Ahmed Ibrahim
There is no doubt that Secularism is another diplomatic Tag of Christianity. Christianity has nothing to be deprived out of Secular Systems and Rules. In fact, it benefits a lot as it fills the gap Christianity cannot fulfill especially in aspects such as economic, intellectual and political pursuits of humankind. They feed each other. On the other hand, Islam with its reason oriented sublim law, universal fraternity, equality and justice is in great difficulties against secular laws and systems, not because Islam is against any sincere human principle of life, but because secular forces are in most cases extremists in their view and do not respect ideas and ways of lives out of their domain. The secular systems whether they are in a politically unstable country like Ethiopia or institutional countries like the USA fail to accommodate Islam because they fear that their dictatorship has no place in the Islamic paradigm or they are totally ignorant about Islam.
The problem of Ethiopia is mostly arrogance and ignorance. We, Ethiopian Muslims, have abandoned the most majority and the hardcore aspect of our religion, the Islamic Legal code and Principle, thinking practically that the country is a multi-cultural entity. Our government and its mentor, the Church, should understand that we embrace their system (Christianity at heart), at our expense, not because we believe that man made laws are better than the Islamic law. The reward for such gesture and compromise (gentle apostasy) must not be further marginalization of the very few Islamic elements in our life such as self-expression, dressing and public prayer in places we are supposed to work or study.
The secular and Christian extremists are transgressing the limit, infringing the heart of our national pride and identity. Megistu collapsed because he underestimated his opponents, now in power. A century of humiliation against the Muslim population of Ethiopia has grave consequences for the country. It has always created a psychological alienation from Ethiopian-ness and paves the way for ethnic and separatist tendencies. Sooner it is initiating Pan Islamism between Sudan, Moqadishu, Eritrean Lowland, Ogaden, Ethiopian Somali, Afar, Harari, Benishangul and Oromiya……This grand plan is going to be tested in response to the harsh treatment of Christians , the Amhara Establishment and its present actor the Tigrean arrogance.
Freedom Movements in Ethiopia like the previous Eritrean Movements, the Ogaden and OLF resistances were (are) not without their Islamic resentments. We cannot guarantee the Ethiopian government and the Church from seemingly emotional but natural response to their united Aggression especially against the most humble section of their society, the Muslims. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, rather than forging alliance with all secular and religious section of Ethiopian society, is pursuing its historical mistake of impoverishing the country and working for its disintegration, though they may claim otherwise. Ethiopian Orthodoxy has failed to persuade the Oromos, it has a historical and current antagonism with the Ethiopian Muslims of all ethnic background. What is the leadership thinking?
Believe it or not, the resentment of Ethiopian Muslims is now beyond its limits, they have remained very patient, now very docile, for the last 60-70 years. Enough is enough, if the ESTABLISHMENT is not ready to change its behavior we will be forced to turn back to our forefathers, the IMAMS and the EMIRS RESISTENCE. I believe out of the 30 million or more Muslims of Ethiopia, some thousands will not hesitate to sacrifice their blood in both the civil and uncivil struggle ahead. It is, however, my wish that such a heavy danger addressed gently and all forces start to think logically about their handling and assessment of Islam in Ethiopia and the Horn. Islam always votes for Peace with justice, not Peace without Justice, so do We.