Ethiopian Islamic council decided to exclude and ban from election of what it calls `wahabi`, according to the recently released wikileaks confidential document.
In the past year there have been some isolated incidents of religious conflict in Ethiopia, and interlocutors offer several different explanations as to the causes. Vice-President of the EIASC Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan said he believes that the conflicts are a manifestation of "political manipulation of religion" and the growing influence of Wahhabists. He blames opposition parties and Wahhabists for using religion "for political means" to mobilize the masses. Mohammed said he does not believe that religious leaders would incite violence because they have benefited from maintaining a peaceful co-existence for over 1,000 years. He argues that since the Wahhabis cannot find support within the population (because of the long history of Sufism), they have decided to partner with "certain opposition parties" in order to gain political power. Because the EIASC feels that Wahhabism is a serious threat to the stability of Ethiopia and the region, the Council has decided not to allow Wahhabis to be elected to the Council. In March 2009, the EIASC banned Islamic meetings and activities without permission from the Council, and they also closely monitor Imams in the country. At an April 6 lunch, the Mufti of Ethiopia told the Ambassador that the EIASC does not consider Wahhabis to be genuine Muslims, but rather ADDIS ABAB extremists attempting to hijack the religion.
Interesting to note that, the council claims that what it calls `wahabi` is minority, yet resort to illegal way by forbidding them from standing for election!
In its summary, the report indicates how the Church which dominates the country`s historically feels threatened by the assertive roles of the Muslims ( Please refer to cable document on Gonder incident which concludes that Gonder Muslims have in no way acted in a way different from Muslim in other regions, yet the Church see their action as a provocative because Muslims were historically stereotyped and excluded from the city which is no more the case)
Ethiopia has enjoyed a long history of religious tolerance. In the past year, however, tensions have risen somewhat among Muslims and Orthodox Christians, the two largest religious groups in Ethiopia. Although it is likely that the recent conflicts are isolated incidents and are not cause for immediate concern, the attitudes and outlooks of certain groups are worth noting. Orthodox Christian leaders openly exhibit tolerance of Muslims, but there are undertones of entitlement as they are "the oldest Church in Africa," had been the state religion until 1974, and feel threatened by recent acts by Muslims which they see as provocative. Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC) leaders blame the recent religious conflict on opposition parties and Wahhabis who they argue are using religion "for political means," and are trying to exclude Wahhabis from the Council. The Special Assistant to the Minister of Federal Affairs believes that recent religious conflicts were caused by "messengers" sent by organized national and international networks to incite violence, but could not say whether such networks were allied around religion, ideology, ethnicity, or some other social dynamic. The Government has taken several measures to address rising religious tensions and to avoid future conflict, including establishing regional forums to raise awareness and calling upon religious leaders and followers to reveal those attempting to incite religious conflicts.
Ethiopia pride itself of the religious tolerance but as the document indicates and until 1974, the country was under Orthodox christian dominance, marginalizing all other religions and cultures. It was only recently , 1990, that all religions got constitutionally equal right , though many believe that the government has so far failed to fully implement it. The main obstacle remains to be the Church which has yet to embrace the state being secular and the end of its political role.
It is clear that Muslims want to play an assertive role to ensure and see their citizenship right which includes freedom of worship, securing worship sites as enshrined in the constitution without the interference of the Church. The Church apparently see this as a threat, and want back to the pre-1974 status of quo.
In this 21 century you find a city like Axum in Ethiopia where indigenous Muslims are denied the right to build mosques, or burial places. Any one who advocate for the right of the Axumite Muslims would be condemned by the Church, government and islamic council equally: for the church the person is `extremists`, `security threat/ terrorist` for the government and `wahabi` for the so called Islamic council!!!
By this standard, it is ALL Ethiopian Muslims who are the `extremists`, `security threat/terrorists` and `wahabi`!
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