Ethiopian Muslims Protest After Eid Al Adeha Prayer

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Nearly two hundred thousand Ethiopian Muslims gathered at one place in and around the Addis Ababa Stadium to perform the prayer of Eid Al Adeha (Arefa), one of the most important Islamic holydays, on Friday, October 26, protested against the government interference in religious affairs.

“Let government interference in religious affairs be stopped!” and “Let the constitution be respected!” repeatedly chanted the worshippers following the prayer. Furthermore, “Let our voices be heard!” and “Let the repression be stopped!” were among the slogans chanted by the worshippers.

Different sources said large numbers of protesters had also poured onto the streets in different big towns such as Bahir Dar, Gondar, Dessie, and Woldeya chanting the same slogans, “Let government interference in religious affairs be stopped” and “Let the constitution be respected”.

Many argue that the Eid Al Adeha (Arefa) had been an important occasion in which Muslims showed the government and the nation that they are not give up on their legitimate demands and are united in their cause.

For the past eight months, Muslims in Addis Ababa as well as other major cities across the country have been staging peaceful protests against the government’s interference in religious affairs, which, they say, contradict Article 9 of the constitution of the country.

They accuse the government of determining the makeup of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council by appointing followers of a sect called al-Ahbash and trying to impose its teachings on the Muslim community forcefully. They strongly claim that the council is mostly comprised of government-appointed figures who do not represent them.

The Ethiopian constitution, Article 9, states the Separation of State and Religion in clear terms: “there shall be no state religion; the state shall not interfere in religious matters and religion shall not interfere in state affairs.”

The government, however, doesn’t accept the accusation. In turn, it claims that the Muslims’ movement is something arranged by a few extremists and trouble makers who have hidden agendas such as turning the country into an Islamic republic.

”These extremist groups in Ethiopia are facilitating a situation in order to advance their hidden agendas,” the government spokesman, Shimelis Kemal, said.  “They started all kinds of accusations, stating that the government is using its institutions to coerce and to systemically wipe out Islamic religion from Ethiopia. “

“We don’t have any hidden agenda”, said Ismael Hussein, one of the protesters in Addis Abeba. “We are not trying to take over and make our country an Islamic republic. Our questions are clear. We need the government to stop interfering in religious affairs by respecting the constitution.”

The international political analyst, Buri Waddesso, says what the government says about Muslim protesters is fabricated and intended to cover its unlawful acts.

“Ethiopian Muslims are able to put a name on the reality of their oppression. They are demanding their rights, rather than begging for them from a benevolent and paternal power.”

In the past months, the government has tried to silence the opposition by imprisoning key protesters and prominent Muslim’s representatives. However, in contrary, the protest has been getting stronger and wide spreading throughout the country.

“We never stop struggling for our rights and freedoms”, Muhammad Osman, one of the leaders of the protest, said. “We would rather die than being silent. The government has to understand this well.”

On Sunday, October 21, 2012, following the detention of 2 young Muslim protesters, a clash was erupted between the Muslim community and security forces in South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State. In the conflict, 4 people were shot dead while more than 20 were highly injured.

According to different sources, the Muslim community has recently begun pushing for unity between Christians and others in the country, urging all Ethiopians to come together for change in the country.

Source :- http://www.assaman.info

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