Ethiopia: Nation wide Hunger Strike of Muslim Students to Begin Tomorrow
The crisis which unfolded in Mekelle university some days ago has now become a national issue. Muslim students in all higher institutions in the country are joining in a nation wide protest against the action taken by the Mekelle university administration. Students all over the country will start with the hunger strike tomorrow, November 29, 2007 and collect petition against the measure taken by Mekelle university. By this they hope to make clear to their respective administration that the new regulation is totally unacceptable to them. They hope further to initiate all-encoumpassing discussion on the Muslims’ right of education and freedom of religion.
It is not immediately known for how long the hunger strike is to stay.
Though there was a speculation that the situation in Mekelle would be over by today, Muslim students of the university could not find any usefull item in the issues reported agreed upon during a discussion held between regional majlis representatives and the university officials.
To begin with no one from the students was allowed to attend the meeting. Second, no agreement was made. Rather, the officials told the Majlis people their position which was already known to the students. Muslim representatives of Mekelle city, though attended the meeting, were denied of any chance to present their opinion. Under such circumstance, the students say, it is hard to say a deal was reached on any thing. Above all what was agreed was just by word and it was not put on paper.
In the meantime, the unique hospitability and support students are receiving from the Muslims community of the city is of great proud not only to the students but to Muslims all over the country. They are determined to be with the students cause and fight with them the injustice that came over their children and what is posing eminent danger to our living together and co-existence.
on November 30th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Freedom of Religion ought to be free
By Sadik Ahmed
People are free to believe, they are the only authorize personnel to acquire their own divine belief. It is a natural justification to worship and bow-down for the creator of nature, one can be free to imagine his own God and devout him self for his Imagination. If freedom of religion adhered in a society this common sense and thought of faith will create a meaningful joy for the believer.
Whenever the inhabitants initiate to obstruct this ordinary decree a painful friction may possibly occur, peace will get distortion, love and brotherhood will be in jeopardy. Apparently, the universal harmony of citizens faces inevitable hostility.
Based on Ethiopian historical facts supremacy of one religion was subscribed as the ultimate solution of the country. For the sake of unity and development we need to maintain a clear distinction between freedoms of religion along with superiority of a religion.
Since the rising of DERGU freedom of religion was gained as a form of equality. Furthermore, freedom of religion is clearly declared in the constitution of the current government. However, constitution with lacking of Implementation could open the door for antagonism.
We should examine what happen in Chagni-Gonder and what is going on in Mekele this is a clear indication of ongoing injustice and a deliberate act of discrimination within the school system by minority stereotype school officials.
The Salat (prayer)
Based on Islamic rule praying five times a day is obligatory, there is no compromise to skip it but with few legitimate reasons. If the students are allowed to enjoy their break time under the tree or at the top of grass in enthusiastic or unenthusiastic conduct, why the school administrators spot the Muslim students? Does bowing-down at the top of the grass hurting? Or running around teasing one another? As we are attempting to practice our way of life on the unfasten territory we do not have to be expert to answer those questions but mindful.
The Hijab (head-scarf)
The derogatory Hollywood customs are creating erosion on the heavenly regulations and cultural values. It is not strange to sort out substantial victims of this so-called civilization of Hollywood in Ethiopian school system. If some students are tolerable to wear miniskirts, why the school administrators are not tolerable for modest Muslim women? As we are free to choose computable fashion for us on the open market of this age group
We don’t have to be expert to answer this ordinary inquiry but open-minded.
The concept of freedom is neither new nor bizarre for Ethiopia but people ought to share its value in a daily basis .Ethiopia did accept Christianity and Islam in a mutual blueprint. Categorically, the northern part of Ethiopia especially Tigray significantly possesses a tremendous value in accordance with Islamic history. The companions of the prophet Mohammed (pbh) flee for freedom of religion toward Ethiopia. Indeed, they were granted asylum by king Nejashi to practice their religion, if we proud of this ancient history why it is so difficult for our generation to follow the footsteps of those courageous Abyssinians.
Those immigrant Arabs were praying and covering their hair as of this generation, the practice is still corresponding for more than 1400 years, what happen now? Why the school officials try to alter it? Isn’t the nation reducing evolutionary obstacles on the democratic course of action to elevate the common values of equality? Accordingly, the core doctrine of democratization process should not be excluded from its basic element, in order to stay away from Hypocrisy. ‘Freedom of religion ought to be free.’
We often see in Ethiopian parliament Muslim women serving the country as a legislative body. Perhaps, wearing Islamic dress openly is that acceptable for the congress women? However not for the student women? Are we measuring our standard or double standard in Ethiopian Legislative assembly and the school system? The constitute states freedom of religion clearly, but there is exceptional rule for school system…? Any lower level official can amend the law by ripping the right of citizens to practice their religion in a free manner, is that acceptable? Is that fair?
Freedom of religion is in a chase before its virtual construction. Some ideological hijackers are surrounding the liberty; let us explore our foundation which is love, mutual respect, diversity and co-existence. Let us climb this obstruction en route for development and terminate poverty; this is the true Ethiopian sprit.
Time to be open-minded and spread love, time to use knowledge as fruitful scheme; productivity should be the real computation but not envious ambition. Sadly, a growing sentiment of blasphemy act is spreading in our nation within the intellectual society as well as inside few fanatic religious organizations. This mean-spirited notion is intended to isolate Ethiopian Muslims and invade their own state of mind by applying smear tactic and cynical rhetoric to destabilize the current accomplishments of democratic course in the direction of disarray.
Literally, past can’t be present, and present can’t be relinquished to reverse the historical misery, why? Traditional supremacy is not computable with role of social equality, if we all see eye to eye to establish a democratic nation; ‘freedom of religion ought to be free’
There is a wide range between promise and practicality, the federal government of Ethiopia should be realistic towards people with no excuse. The constitution should be implemented; the rule of law should be respected.
Love is observed mutually inside Christian and Muslim theological wisdom. Let us site a reference.
Quran and hadith:
Serve Allah and join not any partners with Him: and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the way-farer (ye meet) and what your right hands possess: for Allah loveth not the arrogant the vainglorious; -
An-Nisaa (4),36
Narrated Abu Shuraih: The Prophet said, “By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe! By Allah, he does not believe!” It was said, “Who is that, O Allah’s Apostle?” He said, “That person whose neighbor does not feel safe from his evil.” –
Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Number 45
BIBLE:
In the New Testament we similarly read, ‘whoever does not love (the neighbor) does not know God’ (1 John 4:8) and ‘whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen’ (1 John 4:20)
Finally, Islamic and Christian principles did declare our co-existence within peaceful atmosphere, by the almighty God. let‘s breath this pleasant air, as oxygen is free for all of us ‘freedom of religion ought to be free’. Nobody can’t afford to pay for it .We should protest for unity, be-aware of betrayal, be alert for sabotage, and reject blasphemy. Peace-love!
F r e e d o m o f re l I g I o n o u g h t t o b e f r e e!