The Ethiopian Muslim have continued their objection to the EPRDF ruling Ethiopian government's unabated and systematic abuse of their civil and religious rights. With each passing day,the people's determination to stand for their rights and protect their religion is getting strength and momentum. Each and every action is affirming their unity against the evil plan EPRDF has in its treasures for them. Each and every action conducted at local level is so organization with eye on the national picture. In this respect the Awolia demonstration is vivid example.

The protest that was stated by students of the Awolia Collage and Schools against some administrative measures has now transformed itself into a national demand of the Muslim community. Their demand is no more about the teachers who were dismissed,even the closure of the Collage. They are demanding for the respect of their rights as enshrined in the constitution,the rule of law and the implementation the provision of the constitution with regard,to among others,the freedom of belief,separation of state and religion,freedom to expression and freedom of association. These were the foremost of basic rights Muslims have been denied of.

A weak or so before the Awolia movement manifested itself to the public, Muslims of Harbu and Bistima (Qalu Woreda,South Wollo) flooded the streets of their respective towns and demanded an end to the government's attempt to impose an align ideology on Ethiopian Muslims,an ideology held by a pseudo-Muslim group called Ahbash. Two or three months ago Muslim scholars of Eastern Hararige and Harari region issued a joint statement calling for an end to forced ahbashanization of Ethiopian Muslims. To the south Muslims in Robe,Bale,Oromia region demonstrated on January 20,2012 against the continued and intensified harassment,imprisonment and abduction of Muslim scholars and the closure of their Mosques and schools. Just two days ago,Muslims of Dessie (South Wollo) not only successfully prevented the Ahbash onslaught on their educational and community centers but also joined their brothers in the capital and else where in the country in their demands for their rights to be respected and protected.

A partial view of the Anwar congregation of the faithfull

The experience of Ethiopian Muslims with regard to their demand for respect for their rights,equality,freedom and justice so far is bitter and it is going from bad to worse with each passing day. The force that came to power singing the songs of equality,justice for all,rule of law and end to state religion did not stay long before it turned its ugly face on the very people who had for long treated as secondary citizens in their own county. The paper upon which the constitution was inked did not dry well when the EPRDF government of Ethiopia launched its assault and crack down on leading Muslim Scholars,community leaders,religious,humanitarian,relief and educational organizations. The 1994 brutality of EPRDF when it gunned down peaceful worshipers at the grand Anwar Mosque,Addis Ababa,and subsequent crackdown and terror it launched on Muslim personalities and organizations causes even today hysteria in the Muslim community.

We recall the killings and wounding of peaceful Muslim demonstrators who were expressing their objection to the demolition of Arat Killo Mosque on 25 July 2006 by government forces. Unknown number of people were killed,wounded and several other were detained as a result of the August 11,2006 brutal crackdown by Federal Riot Police.

The consequence of intentional neglect to the demands of the Muslim community for the authorities to assume their responsibility of maintaining order back in 2009 is still fresh in our memory. The failure of the government forces to respond to that call had led a small scale local issue (first occurred on the evening of Sept 26,2006 in Dembi town,Jimma Zone after 4 Muslims were killed in front of their mosque and anther 11 were wounded) to grow and spread to a wider area resulting in the loss of hundreds of innocent lives,destruction of properties and displacement of thousands of Ethiopians from their home. As later discovered,the very force that had to prevent and control the conflict had instigating the conflict and undertook the atrocities.

We remember further the heavy handed and often brutal measures taken against Muslim students of several Ethiopian educational institutions. Students were protesting against the regulation of Ministry of Education that is believed to target Muslims and people of nationalities whose culture and history is influenced by Islam. The regulation forces students to choose between their religion and their education,a basic right of for any human being. Many sustained physical and psychological trauma as a result of attach they sustained out on street and in detention centers. Several students were dismissed just for refusing to abandon their religion.

We recall again a number of incidents which,by intention or neglect of duty by the government forces and its justice system,resulted in seemingly intra- and inter-religious tension,destruction of religious and community centers and desecration of holy places and scriptures.

Our experience of EPRDF is,in short,cruelty,injustice,deception,manipulation and brutality. It might be naivety to expect EPRDF now to behave differently. Yet it is our belief that the government can still learn,if it so desires,from past wrongs and take positive action this time towards the demands of the Muslim community. It is high time that the government assumes its responsibilities and heed to the legitimate demands of its people. The Muslim community has made it clear that it can not more accept an organization the mission of which is just to terrorize them. It can no more tolerate the fact that the very organization that should work to solving its problems and lead the people in building their country become a hurdle to any positive engagement.

The students of Awolia has shattered the taboo and made public the otherwise feared issue i.e. those who seat in the Muslim's institution are not their representative;the institution is serving as head office for political cadres and security agents. The Muslim community across the nation has rejoiced the step taken by these brave students and has already offered its overwhelming support. Hereby the issue that started as mere administrative problem has successfully transformed itself into a national cause of the Muslim community.

We are privileged to subscribe ourselves to this just and holy cause of movement. It is with great pleasure that we express our determination to stand with our brothers and sisters back at home and do our utmost until Justice is served. We also use this opportunity to call up the the Muslim community in the Diaspora to endorse the movement and contribute its share towards the realization of the stated demands.

Before we conclude this post we would like add few words on the January 20,2012 Awolia gathering.

Muslims who attended the January 20,2012 Friday prayer at Awolia Collage nominated about 20 people to lead the movement. The nomination was spontaneous and people forwarded the names of those individuals who are known for their devotion for the service of Islam and the cause of the Muslim community. The nominees are distinguished personalities and they would not hesitate to execute the responsibility entrusted upon them with honesty and sincerity. Having said that,it is worth mention that the list includes individuals whose primary mission might be compromised if they are to assume this latest assignment. For instance some of the nominees are known for their Daiwa activities than in managing community affairs. There are others who are devoted themselves to pure humanitarian activities. Such individuals might not assume this responsibility without compromising their existing engagements. If that is to happen,our net profit might tilt to the negative than to the positive. This is likely to be the case especially under the current environment where EPRDF is looking for a minor off-track-step to eliminate every initiative and organization. For these and other excuses some of the nominees might decline to assume the responsibility. In fact it is our belief that such individuals should be encouraged to resign and focus on what they have already specialized in. Those who are known for their engagement in Muslims rights should not feel disappointed as and when they encounter such a situation. They should rather get encouraged to bring in other members;extend the membership even to the regions.

The other issue that we would like to raise is on the assignment itself and the expectation of the people. A list of demands were noted down on the January 20,2012 gathering. The demand include the removal of Majlis,return of organization confiscated from the Muslim community,opening of organizations whose license is taken as part of the Ahbashinization process of Ethiopian Muslims,release of Muslim scholars who are languishing in several prisons. We are not sure if all the members of the Ad-hoc committee are on the same boat on these issue. Some are of understanding that the movement should handle the Awolia case (its independence from Majlis) while others insist that the issue of the Majlis should form the center of their engagement. This situation calls for the need to redefining and simplifying the raised issue and establishing common understanding. From experience this task alone would need time and a great deal of effort and unlimited patience. We suggest that the committee should not go in hurry but take the time and preparation it might need. Similarly the Muslim community should understand the difficulty and complexity of the assignment it gave to the committee and be steadfast and stand behind it.

One last issue we would like to mention here is the need for our support to the committee as a group and to its members as individual. It is known to every one that the assignment we gave them demands their knowledge,wisdom,time and energy. We have also put them at the front line for all the dangers. Here it is the responsibility of each and every member of the Muslim community to prepare itself for the worst scenario and put in place all that they might need should some thing,Allah forbid,befall on them. Sacrifice on the way of the Almighty Allah is the aspiration of every Muslim and preparation is part of that journey.

Insha Allah success is for those who stand for Justice.