Ethiopia: Impossible to be a Muslim and a Student at the Same time
Mekelle university has told its Muslim students to choose between their religion and study. This position let various questions to pop up in the minds of the Muslim community and those fair minded Ethiopians. Is it really impossible in Ethiopia to be a Muslim and a student at the same time?
The Ethiopian constitution declared the religous freedom of the citizens with clear and easy to understand words and phrases:
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- Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include the freedom to hold or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and the freedom, either individually or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
- Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-Article 2 of Article 90, believers may establish institutions of religious education and administration in order to propagate and organize their religion.
- No one shall be subject to coercion or other means that would restrict or prevent his freedom to hold a belief of his choice.
- Parents and legal guardians have the right to bring to up their children ensuring their religious and moral education in conformity with their own convictions.
These were the items under Article 27 of Ethiopian Constitution. Does Mekelle university function beyond the law of the country? Does it has its own constitution which is above the country’s constitution that it refused to respect it and abide by it?
The constitution further declares that education shall be free from religious and political influence (Article 90):
Education shall be provided in a manner that is free form any religious influence, political partisanship or cultural prejudices.
Does this allow educational institutions to deny their students their right of education and freedom of worship under the pretext of being secular? Is it realy impossible in Ethiopia to be Muslim and a student at the same time? One of our brathers is here to share with us his opinion on this fundamental question which these days occupy our mind and thoughts. Click here to access document (in PDF).