The various resistance activities commemorating the first-year anniversary of the Ethiopian Muslims movement continue in their third week. The on its two weeks ago, the campaign saw the largest turnout yet as demonstrations swept more than 50 towns around the country. From small towns such as Dodola, Waldaya, Walqite, Arba Minch, Warabi, Haromaya, and Mattu to mega towns such as Awassa, Harar, and Jimma, large number of protesters demanded the release jailed muslim leaders and reiterated their year-long quest for religious freedom.
As the third week of the campaign coincided with the eve of the Ethiopian Orthodox Epiphany (Timket) the organizers had to change the usual venues both to show respect for their Christian brethren and also deny regime’s agents the chance to provoke conflict. Hence today’s protests were limited to Mosques located far away from Churches. For instance in the capital the protest was moved from Grand Anwar to the Nur (Beni) mosque, enabling Christian to celebrate their holiday at St. Orael Church. The same action was taken in Adama, Dessie, Jimma, Dodola, Shasheme and so on. As a result today’s protest was concluded without any disruption.
Dubbed "365 days for religious freedom”, organizers claim that this phase of the protest will continue for several weeks. This signals a move on the part of the organizers to significantly escalate resistance by expanding the protest beyond the major towns. The all regions and all towns strategy is said to include further diversification of the resistance tactics in addition to the prayer protest and the legal fight through the courtrooms. While the organizers are willing to disclose little specifics, they say that the strategic objective is to exert direct pressure on the regime by targeting its main pillars of power particularly the economy and the social base.
At the meantime the government has also stepped up its aggression against the Muslim community. Having assigned government officials to run the federal as well regional Mejlis offices, starting mid December the regime has continued with the plan to complete take over Muslims institutions by removing existing Imam’s of mosques nationwide and replacing them with those who have accepted the Al Habash teaching. During the first phase of the take over, major mosques in Wallo and Illu Abba Booraa saw their imams removed from their position under point of gun. The faithful responded to the aggression and provocation by boycotting the Imam’s and forcing them to lead prayers only to handful of cadres in mosques that are usually attended by tens of thousands.
On related news, the Diaspora Muslim community has been organizing various conferences and rituals to commemorate the the anniversary and also raise fund to support family members leaders and activists languishing in jail.
Below are pictures and Videos from Today’s protest.
Nur Benin (Finfinne)
Adama
Jimma
Shashemene
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Gulele Post
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