•Premier vows to support building of mosque, Islamic bank
ADDIS ABABA – Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed called on Christianity followers to once again demonstrate the age-long mutual co-existence with their Muslim brothers and sisters by cleaning mosques, and other open spaces used to carry out Eid prayer. On Wednesday evening, the premier attended cohabitation and thanksgiving ceremony organized in connection with Iftar [Ramadan fast breaking dinner] evening at Millennium hall in the capital, Addis Ababa.
In the mass ceremony that over 10,000 Muslims participated, the premier stressed the need for cultivating the culture of togetherness and unity long embraced among the faithful of the two largest faiths. He also proposed the sanitation campaign to be held at the eve of Eid al-Fitr. “We need one another and Muslims believe in unity,” he said.
He also urged the Muslim community to strengthen the culture of helping the needy during this fasting season and beyond. Meanwhile, the premier pledged to support the construction of a big mosque that could accommodate large gathering of worshipers. He said the mosque would also serve as yet another tourist destination, particularly for Islam followers traveling to Ethiopia from across the world.
He expressed greater hope that the Christian community will also repeat its history of building mosques for their brothers and sisters. The government will support the establishment of interest free Islamic Bank that can serve Muslims in Ethiopia, he added. Abiy also told the gathering to join him in his efforts of transplanting four billion tree seedlings across the nation in the coming month.
The Ethiopian Herald May 24/2019
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
