“Writers and journalists should publish in Arabic and help Arabic speaking world have right information about Ethiopia.” – Author and journalist Anwar Ibrahim
BY KFLEEYESUS ABEBE
Arabic language which is among most spoken languages in the world has some speakers in Ethiopia too as it is spoken in some areas of the country. To the very list, many muslim Ethiopians are able to speak basic Arabic because of their religious background. There are historical manuscripts and – scriptures in Arabic in places like Harar, the fouth holiest city in Islam. Ethiopia is close to the Arabic world but Arabic language usage especially writings other than the religious ones are very scarce. Writers say the inavailability of Arabic writings about Ethiopia has left the country to be less known or known incorrectly by the Arab-speaking world.
Anwar Ibrahim has decades-long experience in journalism delivering essential information about Ethiopia to the Arab world. He has covered issues like the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and on other issues of politics and social diplomacy. He says eventhough Ethiopia is close to the arab world and there is a significant number of arabic speaking community, there is no adequate arabic literature for the arab world to know about Ethiopia. “As a journalists, sometimes I observe foreign arabic media making honest mistakes about Ethiopia.
As I often tried to correct wrong narratives and as they knew me for working as journalist in a foreign arabic media, they began contacting me for crosschecking and double checking names, history and relevant facts. So, I sensed the presence of information gap about Ethiopia. The good things about Ethiopians are usually left out because we don’t talk or write about them. Based on this knowledge I realized it is upto Arabic speaking Ethiopian journalists and writers to fill the gap.”
Anwar published his debut on Ethiopian culture and heritage and launched it in a ceremony held in Cario. The book subsequently made him to be enlisted among ten African writers who write in Arabic to introduce their country and culture. He also won award from Egyptian Ministry of Culture. Since then he committed himself to write in Arabic and promote the riches of Ethiopia. He published his second book “ Glimpses from the peoples’ museum” and is yet to be launched in Cario. His third book is recently launched here in Addis Ababa in the presence of media colleagues, representatives of different embassies and other people in the field of publication and study of Arabic language.
Against the traditional way of promoting Ethiopia, that is showcasing natural or manmade sites, Anwar preferred to show Ethiopia thorough its famous personalities. Short biographies of famous athletes like Abebe Bikila, rulers from ancient times to this day, renowned painters like the Most Honorable Maitre Artist World Laureate Afewerk Tekle, theatre giant and poet Laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin, outstanding singers like Tilahun Gessesse, cinematographer Haile Gerima and scientist Aklilu lemma are among famous Ethiopians the writer incorporated in his book. He believes the story of these impeccable Ethiopians allow the Arab speaking world have good impression about Ethiopia. Through these people, they would see the riches and beauty of Ethiopia and determination, wisedom, pride and hospitality of its Ethiopia, Anwar emphasized.
“Ethiopia isn’t only politics or the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam. It is a vast country with many endowments. There are people with different gifts. We have very gifted artists, athletes, innovators and scholars. But unfortunately we are being notorious for famine, conflicts and other bad things. Therefore, I began to confront this narrative and show the other maybe the larger picture of Ethiopia particularly to the arab world. I thought writing about successful Ethiopians in various fields is a good strategy to show the other picture of Ethiopia. It took me four years. There are people that merit recognition by the outside world. I have included 50 notable Ethiopians in the book.”
The author secured sponsorship for his first book and it is well sold out especially by diplomatic community. He believes the book became handy for Arab world particularly for media, researchers and scholars to know about Ethiopia, its people, history, politics and aspirations. On basis of this knowledge, they could select areas of cooperation with Ethiopia.
Publishing books especially in Arabic isn’t easy here in Ethiopia. It needs strong commitment and investment. Anwar realized his publication circumventing different challenges. Information aren’t easily accessible in Ethiopia so he had to go to different places to get it. For instance, in writing about Sof Omar Caves in his first book Anwar had to go there in person. With a little budget and no or less support or sponsorship, he tells it was challenging. After the collection of information and writing of the book under time constraint, he was also beset by the rising cost of publication, which is a major problem many if not all authors face. The support from concerned parties haven’t also come to Anwar. Ministry of Cultures and Tourism, Ministry of Education, the media and other should have supported this initiative as such books are essential to promote Ethiopia and expand the use of Arabic language in Ethiopia.
Inspite of these difficulities, Anwar is committed and urged collagues with potentials and Arabic language skills to contribute part for the development of the language and promotion of Ethiopia. “My books are being used as reference as there are no or few books about Ethiopia in Arabic. People in media especially those who use Arabic language should encourage themselves. There is a lot to be desired. We have a moral obligation to use our langauge and journalistic skills to promote Ethiopia. We shouldn’t be confined to office works alone. We have to publish books on different topics. If we analyze it we have audience maybe greater than the population of some Arab countries. We have to be active like Amharic and English literatures in Ethiopia.”
Ethiopian Writers’ Association (EWA) and other actors in the sector should also step up and support initatives of such individuals. If relevant actors see and support such initatives, writers would be encouraged. Many writers could emerge. The language can thrive in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s visibilty and influence in the Arab world should grow.
The Ethiopian Herald December 7/2022
