Elais Redman, ex-Mejlis / Islamci affairs council leader sought the assistance of Meles to save his position, wikileaks secret documents reveals. In a discussion with US officials, Redman appeals as a moderate Muslim and accusing all who disagrees with him as `Wahhabi ` who colludes with Saudis.
It is known that Elias Redman is widely accused of corruption, and the rampant embezzlement which reached a point difficult to defend is believed to be behind his removal. Elais Redman complained that the Islamic council is facing financial challenges as it heavily relies on special documents it issues during the Hajj.
Elias Redman justifies the demolition of the Arart-Kilo mosques which angered Muslims followed by peaceful demonstration,accusing the Muslims chanting against Meles Zenawi during the protest! He also claims that he secured and alternative peace of land to contain the anger.
The Sheikh [Elias Redman] said that moderates like himself are struggling to fend off the influence of extremists, partially due to a lack of resources (particularly compared to that of the Saudi backers of this campaign) as well as a lack of support from the GoE. He charged that the influential director of Middle East and Asia bureau at the MoFA, Mahdi Ahmed Gadid, a former Ethiopian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, is pressing senior GoE officials to replace him and other moderate EIASC leaders. This has led the Sheikh to seek (and was granted) a meeting with Prime Minister Meles to ask for assistance....By the way, Mahdi Ahmed, used to be an Ambassador of Japan, currently working at the Ministry of Foreign Affaris is Harari in ethnic. Ordinary Hararis hardly have Saudi Arabian orientation, let alone politician like him who need public support. The accusation is apparently baseless , and it seems that Elias Redmam was a person who would do everything to save his position.
It is known that Elias Redman is widely accused of corruption, and the rampant embezzlement which reached a point difficult to defend is believed to be behind his removal. Elais Redman complained that the Islamic council is facing financial challenges as it heavily relies on special documents it issues during the Hajj.
Sheikh Elias said that the EIASC leadership is in crisis due to a lack of funding. The EIASC normally gets a large part of its operational budget from fees collected by issuing special travel documents for Ethiopian pilgrims who participate in the annual Hajj. Sheikh Elias recounted, that this year, the EIASC planned to issue 18,000 travel documents to Ethiopian pilgrims. However, the government of Saudi Arabia decided that all Ethiopian visitors must have passports. He said that many pilgrims, if required to file for a passport on short notice, will not be able to make the Hajj. Also, the EIASC will not collect fees and will run out of money within a few months.Arat Kilo Mosque Demolition
Elias Redman justifies the demolition of the Arart-Kilo mosques which angered Muslims followed by peaceful demonstration,accusing the Muslims chanting against Meles Zenawi during the protest! He also claims that he secured and alternative peace of land to contain the anger.
C) Sheikh Elias discussed the recent unrest in Addis Ababa sparked by the destruction of a mosque in the central area of Arat Kilo (reftel), saying what was reported in newspapers was only partially correct. He explained the property on which the mosque was to be constructed was purchased by an individual who received money from a Saudi NGO (an NGO is not legally able to purchase property) at Arat Kilo. The property had contained a residence and a building permit was granted to renovate the house. Regardless, the new owner proceeded to illegally build a mosque and fence around the original structure, which led to city officials demolishing the newly built mosque. This resulted in large scale demonstrations in Addis Ababa on three consecutive Fridays. The largest clash took place on August 11, for which police were called, resulting in a clash between rock-throwing Muslim protestors and police. (NOTE: Only minor injuries and no deaths were reported in this demonstration. END NOTE) The Sheikh reported that, prior to the break-up of the demonstration, some protestors were calling for PM Meles Zenawi to step down and for the establishment of an Islamic government. ¶8.
(C) Sheikh Elias met with Addis Ababa Mayor Berhanu Deressa to diffuse the issue. The mayor agreed to grant the EIASC a larger tract of empty land on which to build a mosque near Addis Ababa University, not far from the original site. The Sheikh called for the community to relinquish the property at Arat Kilo and to focus efforts towards building a new mosque. The Sheikh reported that hardliners criticized and blamed the EIASC for the destruction of the mosque. Nevertheless, the Sheikh said that the wider Muslim community was satisfied with the new grant of land and there have been no reports of demonstrations since.
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