N E G A S H I - OJ

Negashi OJ brought to its readers the news about the demolition of a Mosque in Lafto woreda (Nefas Silk) in the capital. Our sources by then were vague and self contradictory as to how and why the Mosque was demolished.  Radio Negashi which carried detailed reporting on the case (on its 23.08.09 broadcast), has gone again a lenght in search of comprehensive answers.  Just play the 30 August 2009 broadcast to find out what it has brought to us.

Aselamu Alaikum to all!

Al Amin Ethiopian Muslim Community of Houston Texas is proud to announce that Sheikh Ali Mohammed Ebba (Shaykh Ali Jima) is visiting Houston to make Dawa on Saturday the 5th of September  2009 starting from 2PM Central (3PM EST), Insha Allah. Sheikh Ali Jima is a renowned scholar of hadith with tremendous amount of Knowledge and experience in Islamic affairs. He was born in Ethiopia and now resides and teaches in Kenya, East Africa. At this moment, he is on a Dawa tour throughout the United States. As many of you can recall Sheikh Ali Jimma was one of the main speakers and Daee during the Badr Convention in Seattle, WA.

• Read more: Announcement: Al Amin hosts Shaykh Ali Mohammed Ebba

Abdi Seid (abdiseid@hotmail.com)

Winnipeg, Canada

If you are a Muslim and go to Ethiopia to get married, there are two ways you can register your marriage and get your marriage paper/certificate. One is at the city administration office; the other is at the Sheria court.

We chose the Sheria court, and went through five different organizations that are located at different part of the city: The Federal Sheri court (Sidist Kilo), The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs office (Torhayloch), a private translation office, Ministry of Justice Document Authentication and Registration office (both of them at the same building at Mexico) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Document Authentication Service office (near Betemengist).

First we went to the Sheria court, the judges approves the marriage and issued the court decision paper. Three judges signed the paper. Two of them in one office the other one in another office. To our surprise, the employees at the court except the judges are non-Muslims. Then we took these papers to Ethiopian Islamic Affairs office. At this office we meet a person who has title of ‘Documentation and Certification Department Head’ whose job is to verify the judge’s signature and the rubber stamp. He wrote a note at the back of one of the papers noting that the judge’s signature and the stamp is verified, and put another rubber stamp and his title stamp. We paid for this service.

• Read more: My Marriage Paper and Our Bureaucratic Obsession

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by Bint Mustafa

As I sat down quietly looking at my entire family circled around the dinner mat, waiting to break our fasts, I realized this was the best gathering one could ever hope for. I glanced at the various delicious foods laid out fashionably well by my mother, half of which usually went to waste, contemplating how much time she spent on this occasion. Strategically, the entire family slept most of the day to avoid feeling the pains of hunger. We eagerly awaited the azan’s calling to quench our thirst. After the much anticipated Iftar came the journey to the Masjid; a meager attempt to add significance in doing a “good and different deed” in the month of Ramadan. Reading a section of the Quran and having minor discussions about Islam before going to bed was the other part of “living the spirit of Ramadan”. After Suhur (pre-dawn breakfast before the daylight fast during Ramadan) and fajr (early morning prayer), the whole cycle repeated itself, sleeping the majority of the day and eating at night. An occasional trip to the Masjid would follow on the weekends to socialize and listen to Islamic lectures. A flashback of Ramadan back in my home town, Addis Ababa, is how I remember it, as though it was only yesterday. As this Ramadan approaches, I thank and praise Allah, the Almighty, for giving me yet another chance to redeem myself. I vowed to fast according to the sunnah of the prophet (pbuh) and our righteous predecessors, thinking this year will be different. Upon researching the significance of Ramadan, its place in Islamic history came as a great surprise, which I dare to share with you my beloved readers.

The importance of this holy month has been written and explained in detail by many able scholars. The month where the devil will be chained, contains a night better than 1,000 nights, the door of hell is closed as the gateway of Jenna is opened, and good deeds are rewarded in multiples. It is a month that brings unyielding joy and everlasting pleasure to all the believers. The spirit of botherhood increases drastically as the essence of gentleness grows. Every single passing moment brings undivided bliss to the hearts of many Muslims in the most astonishing and enjoyable manner. It is a month that has been honored and chosen as a month for guidance to be sent down to the people.

“The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur’ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” (Baqarah 02: 185)

“The scriptures of Ibrahim were sent down on the first of the month of Ramadan. The tawrah was sent down on the sixth of Ramadan. The injeel was sent down on the 13th of Ramadan. The Zaboor was sent down on the 18th of Ramadan and the Quran was sent down on the 24th of Ramadan.” - Narrated in Ahmad

• Read more: Ramadan: A Month of Action

New York, August 26, 2009 — Two Ethiopian journalists were thrown in prison on Monday after a judge convicted them under an obsolete press law in connection with coverage of sensitive topics dating back several years, according to local journalists and news reports.

Ibrahim Mohamed Ali, editor of the weekly, Muslim-oriented newspaper Salafiyya, and Asrat Wedajo, former editor of Seife Nebelbal, a now-defunct weekly that was banned amid the 2005 government crackdown on the press, have begun serving one-year sentences at Kality Prison, outside the capital, Addis Ababa. Wedajo did not have a lawyer, but Ali’s lawyer, Temam Ababulgu, told CPJ he would appeal the verdict.

• Read more: Ethiopia jails two editors on old charges under obsolete law

24 August, 2009 [Addis Ababa] - The Lideta Federal First Instance Court in the capital sentenced today (24 August 2009) the editor-in-chief of the weekly Muslim Salafia Newsletter - Ato Ibrahim Mohammed - to a one year impresonment. The reason for his arrest is an article that appeard on the Newsletter two years a go. The article entitled “????? ??????? ?? ?????? … ????? ????? ??????? ????? (=Israeil from Secularism to Judism and Ministry of Education from Secularits to …?) analysed the directive drafted by the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. The draft directive was received by the Muslim Umma all over the country as an attempt to deny Muslims their freedom to worship and force them to choose between their religion and education. Ato Ibrahim is immediately sent to the notorious Qaliti Prison to serve his sentence.

Earlier the editor-in-chief of another Muslim Newsletter - Al-Quds - Ato Ezedin Mohammed was sentenced to 10, 000 birr fine for publishing articles that exposed the mis-management of the Federal Majlis by the ex-Vice President Ato Elias Rediman and Co.

Having witnessed these sentences one following the other, some Muslims are asking if there is some conspiracy behind all these. To strengthen their opinion they mentioned the soon-to-launch Newsletter named “Ethio-Muslims.” Ethio-Muslims Newsletter is said to be funded by the Federal Majlis and managed from the back by its Executive Director, Ato Jemal. The Newsletter is hoped to be used as a tool to eliminat other independent Muslim Newsletters.

More News in  Brief

 A five years old Mosque Dimolished

 A Mosque in Lafto Woreda (Nefas Silk) of the capital Addis Ababa which has been giving service to the community for the last five years was demolished by the authorities of the Woreda on August 18, 2009.

Muslims of the surrounding area fought hard to protect thier mosque but overpowered by police. A peaceful protest staged by Muslims was attacked and police detained twenty nine of the protesters.  One Muslim protester who was under police custody died after “having been given a poisoned food“. He was rushed to hospital but it was already too late to help him. Negashi OJ has no detail at this moment particularly on why the authorities decided to demolish the Mosque and if there has been a legal case against it.

Radio Negashi has special coverage on its August 23, 2009 broadcast.

Ato Elias Rediman and co. found guilty of Mismanagment

A special committee set-up to review the working of the ex-Federal Majlis officials concluded that Ato Elias and co. mismanaged the property of the institution and misuse of their power. The specific case was a building that cliamed to have costed 17 million Ethiopian Birr. The review committee found that an Engineer hired to estimate the value of the building estimated it to worth no more than 4 million. Agains the advice of the expert, the officials claimed to have paid the said amount, with 4 million birr yet to be paid. They recommended to file a case against the ex-officials in court and start a formal investigation.

Anwar Mosque under the Federal Majlis

The status of Anwar Mosque has been one of great contention for some time now between the Federal Majlis and those who argue for it to be managed by an Endowment Board. The Federal Sharia Courst decided earlier in favour of the Majlis after several of those who pushing for a ruling in favor of the later were dismissed. The general assembly of the Majlis met in Harrar last month gave the Federal Majlis the authority to manage the historic Mosque. Known rather for being an obstacle to development and Muslims/Islamic inspiration, it is a wonder for many how this institute is to manage the Mosque.

Ramadhan Karim!

The Holy month of Ramadhan is upon us once again. It is to start tomorrow, August 22, 2009.  This is a great blessing to all those of us who are witnessing it; it offers us a unique opportunity to re-energise one’s imaan (faith).

Brothers and sisters in Islam, may we congratulate you then on the arrival of the Holy Month: the month of Quran, Worship, Peace, Forgiveness, Tewba, Success, Guidance, Unity, Charity, …

May we wish you all for a happy Ramadhan, a month that brings us more close to Allah. As the fruits of Ramadhan are infinite, lets then use all the available opportunity to make the maximum benefit out of it.

For the last few weeks we have been discussing various issue of concern to us all and to our organisations. Lets use the month of Ramadhan to further deliberate on such affairs of concern with a settled mind and heart. Let use the month to reach out each other and strengthen our brotherhood, renew our commitment to serve the Umma and Islam.

As part of our usual daily reminding during the month of Ramadhan, we will feature as of the first of Ramadhan a Tafsir by Dr. Ahmad Sakr. We will be provided us with a summary of one part of the Quran every day, Insha Allah. We had a plan to feature one of our distinguished Ulema’s but due to time constraints we could not materialise that plan.

We request our brothers and sisters to forgive us for any mistake we have done in our effort to serve you and the interest of the Umma, and to pray for us so that we serve you even better, insha Alla’h

We love you all for the sake of Allah!

Ramadhan Mubarak.

Negashi OJ Group

Radio Negashi talked to the Chairman of the Badr Board of Trustee, br. Mahmoud Suadiq and broadcasted the first part of the interview on its August 09, 2009 sending. The second and final part is carried by the August 16, 2009 broadcast. This is the official view of Badr Ethiopia and items raised at various moments were commented on. Enjoy the interview. Don’t forget to tell us whether you got lost or you got all your issues clarified.

by Badr Ethiopia Da’awa Committee

In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

Open Invitation to all Muslims for Islamic Dialogue Concerning the Issue of Women Speaker on Stage

May the blessing and peace be up on the last Prophet Mohammad (SAW)

“O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” (Nisaa 59)

By the grace of Allah (SW), the Prophet (pbuh) left us on a bright light when it comes to leading our lives according to the Islamic guidelines. He also gave us a distinct command to follow what is written in the Quran and Hadith and when there is an unclear line or a gray area to adhere to the rulings of scholars available at our time.

The recent debate initiated by one of our concerned brother on the web which draws dozens to the discussion has attracted our attention. This debate of whether to have a women speaker on the stage on Badr convention has left many to question what rulings Badr follows for excluding women from stage presentations. One of the main objectives of Badr is to spread authentic Islamic knowledge to our Muslim communities. As such, and also after assessing the problem and the need for an open and intellectual discussion, Badr Ethiopia through its Dawah department has organized a live program that will take place on Sunday August 16th at 11:00am EST (Washington DC time). In the program, coordinated by both brothers’ and Sisters’ Dawah committee, a renowned scholar will present the clear evidence from the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) cncerning this issue and give a chance to generate a healthy question and answer session at the end. Please tune in to this important session that will strengthen your knowledge in Islam. The teleconference number is +1 218-862-7200 and the bridge code is 927000.

We ask our brothers and sisters in Islam to partake in this most beneficial lecture and open session and to bring any viable question that they think is helpful to increase the knowledge of the Ummah. As we all are rewarded according to our niyya, let’s come with a pure intention to learn and benefit from this lecture. We should also demonstrate an Islamic manner not to form an unnecessary argument that will further divide our unity. Let us all remember that we all strive to be close to Allah and the only way to achieve that goal is to follow the Quran and the Hadith with a sincere heart.

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad SAW) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.” (Nisa 65)