Whenever the month of Ramadan comes, it reminds me of those sweet evenings I used to spend with my Muslim friends. Despite the religious and cultural difference between me and my Muslim friends, there was one important secret that brought us together in a single roof- it is the secret of friendship and love.
No matter how strong our attachment is to our religious values and principles, there was one strong power that breaks the bond of religious extremism. It is the power of love that embedded within Ethiopiansm.
Living in a land where several religious institutions are found, could be difficult to adopt the culture of tolerance. However, thanks to our forefathers who gave value to religious tolerance, we are able to enjoy the fruits of love freely.
In a traditional society that has limited view towards religious tolerances it is common to consider one’s religion more superior than others. But, when true love manifests itself in that society that blurred view will easily fade away. I think that is why I was longing the arrival of those ‘Iftar’ hours every evening.
Frankly speaking, it was not those delicious meals, soft drinks or the soup that pulls me into my Muslim friends` house. They were secondary to me. What matters to me was, the love and affection I used to get from them.
The love I used to get from Ibrahim Seud, Seedi Seud, Medina Mustefa and others was much more important to me. The love we share together in those evenings had more value than anything else.
The month of Ramadan is a month of sharing and solidarity. Among the Muslim community, Ramadan month represents four weeks of charity, thoughtfulness and compassion. This is a month where Muslims show selflessness and support those who are less fortunate. It is the time where they will show a complete sympathy to the poor and the needy by sharing what they have.
In Ethiopia, the month of Ramadan has come at the end of Christian Abiy Tsom (Easter fasting season). This month of solidarity is shared by both Muslims and Christian communities in Ethiopia. Like other parts of the world, Ramadan is a month where true Ethiopiansm was manifested. It was a month where values of tolerance, love and peace was experienced.
Like that of other religions, Islam is founded with the principle of peace. As the name itself implies Islam is all about peace. It is all about submission to the will of Allah. I think one of the wills of the creator is love. The creator has formed the earth with love and passion. Every natural thing is living in coherence. One cannot live with the other. One is dependent on the other.
One of the important values of the religion of Islam is beneficial cooperation and mutual understanding. When one submits to the will of Allah, he will have compassion to the other.
The existence of his brother/sister will matter to him/her. The peace of his brother is his peace as well. The great books have said a lot about this. Nourishing a brother with love is one of the core values of the great books.
Allah instructed all Muslims to help each other form a strong social structure in a community based on the values of solidarity, mutual support, and caring about the welfare of the other. This is further emphasized in a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad.
In a country like Ethiopia where several Nation Nationalities and Peoples are living, the concept of solidarity, mutual support and caring about the welfare of others are pillars of Ethiopianism. In a traditional society like ours, even our housing structure and the way we eat meals or celebrate holidays are a good manifestation of solidarity, mutual respect and carrying. Under this circumstance marking holidays without inviting neighbors is unthinkable.
Here in Ethiopia, a Muslim holiday is not only considered as Muslim festival, it is also celebrated by Christian family. They exchange gifts without considering the walls of religious extremism. The same is true for Muslims.
Whenever a Christian family celebrate holiday, his/her Muslim neighbor will visit with precious gifts and mark the day with feast. This is what I witnessed here in Addis as well as Dire-Dawa where I used to live.
The Ethiopian Herald June 5/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
