The month of Ramadan is a month of love and tolerance. The writer of this piece had wonderful experiences in the month of Ramadan several times. Even if he is Christian by faith, he had a wonderful and interesting experience of sharing love with his Muslim brothers and sisters. Whenever the month of Ramadan arrives, the sweet cookies and the delicious foods that had been served at the house of his friends in Addis Ababa had a lasting memory in his mind.
As a land of multi-culture, Addis Ababa entertains several religious and cultural practices. No matter what the kind of religion a person follow or no matter what his spiritual stand is, there is always a strong bondage and attachment among residents. Whenever there is Christian holyday, it is common to celebrate it with Muslim neighbors. Likewise, whenever there is Muslim holyday or religious festivals, Christian neighbors mark the day with their Muslim friends.
This is visible if one had a chance to visit Merccato (the largest open market in Addis) where both the Muslim and Christians enjoy their religious activities with love and tolerance. This strong bondage between Muslim and their Orthodox brother is still intact in the country. Lately, an “Aftir” program, with a saying. ‘Let us Enafter Together’ (Let us Dine Together) was held on the streets of Dessie and Komobolcha towns. This “Aftir” was organized and conducted by Muslim and Christian Ethiopians common will, as it was mentioned by Dessie Town Administration, Islamic Council President, Sheik Edris Beshir, Ramadan is a month of togetherness, compassion, and love, as reported by FBC.
Islam is all about submission to the will of Alah and this will has a core value of peace. The month of Ramadan in this regard signifies tolerance and peace among the people of Ethiopia. As it was indicated by the Administrator, this is a time where Ethiopia is surrounded by internal as well as external enemies. In this regard, building a strong tie and mutual understanding among brothers is a key to defend national peace and stability.
Usman Hussein is a resident of Dessie Town. According to him, Wollo is a place where both Christians and Muslim live together, and in harmony. For this reason, extremism, which is antithesis of peace, has no existence. People of Dessie know how to respect the culture and the religion of others. The Aftir Program that was held recently in Dessie and Kombolcha town between Christians and Muslims is a good manifestation to this. “The program is not only organized by Muslims. The role of Christians in organizing and collecting money to the success of the program was immense. This is a good culture that must be scaled up in other parts of the country.”
As it was stated by Dessie Town Mayor, Abebe Gebremeskel, the Aftir program that was held in the streets of Kombolcha and Dessie is a good indication how strong the concept of tolerance and love is in the towns. “This is a good implication of love among the Christians and Muslims. This is something interesting that deserves appreciation. It should be copied and scaled up by other towns as well.”
Despite the fact that internal as well as external powers are trying to poison the pace and stability of the nation using religion or ethnic grounds, Ethiopians are always manifesting their strong love and solidarity in such occasion. “No matter how hard those anti peace elements try to disrupt and stir our peace, Ethiopians have joined their hands for good.”
The experience of the two towns really encourages other towns. As a land of different religious and other cultural practices, Ethiopia needs more Aftir like that of Dessie and Kombolcha. There is no Ethiopia without Muslim, Christian or other religions. Without respecting the value of other cultures and religious practices and cherishing these differences, Ethiopia cannot be whole. The experience of the two sisterly towns is a good implication in this regard.
In fact, there were times where Islam had been considered as secondary religion in the nation. There were also times where Muslims were considered as secondary citizens. However, this trend has totally changed within the past years. Thanks to the constitutional provisions, Muslim Ethiopians are exercising all their rights equally with that of Non-Muslims.
Nurturing fraternity among Christian and Muslims is nurturing peace. Ethiopia is a land of nations, nationalities and Peoples. These peoples have an age old culture of living together in love and tolerance. This is witnessed several times when aggressors try to threaten the peace and stability of the nation. No matter what their difference is, they were always one against the external forces.
Though there were times that religious differences were used as an instrument to disrupt the peace and security of the nation, they did not succeeded in it; and no matter how hard they tried, they will not succeeded as Ethiopia is a land for all and its people do not compromise with “her”.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
The Ethiopian Herald May 8/2021
