participating in cleaning places when people celebrate Mesqel, or Epiphany,” says Mustafa Ahmad, a merchant living in Addis Ababa.
Last week, youth with various religious backgrounds had set out to clean different places in Addis Ababa where Muslims pray during the month of Ramadan. In addition to the spaces around the various mosques in the city, the youth have also carried out cleaning campaign around Addis Ababa Stadium where Muslims from different parts of the city gather to conduct the Eid prayer.
Mustafa says previously he was deeply saddened and went desperate when he learnt about people burning and destroying religious places when conflicts flare up due to any reason. But he was inspired by the voluntary works of non Muslim youth who volunteered to clean places where Muslims pray for ‘Eid Al Fetir.’
“Many people express best wishes during holidays. But this has gone beyond expressing wishes orally. It encourages tolerance and love between people,” he added.
Ethiopia is home to people with diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious backgrounds. Its people have lived together harmoniously for many years. Even conflicts that occur occasionally are mostly put under control through the deeply ingrained culture of traditional dispute resolution mechanism without causing severe damage on religious institutions or on large number of people.
But some of the conflicts that happened in some parts of the country tended to target sacred places that are likely to cause a lot of damage both on properties as well as moral of the followers.
“All of us should not forget that those who attack religious places and followers are victims of some ill-mannered people with destructive agenda. They want to manipulate religious people to discharge their own agenda,” he noted.
Born in Jimma, Mustafa says he has lived in various parts of the country as a private business owner. He says in all places in the past he never saw people attacking religious institutions.
But religious and ethnic issues are sensitive that those with ill motives always rush to manipulate them to tier own designs. Therefore, all religious institutions should teach their followers to show respect and care for each other.
Many Ethiopians are highly enthusiastic about colorfully celebrating religious holidays. Christians, Muslims and followers of other indigenous beliefs commit a lot of time and resource to celebrate holidays with much color.
Such Holidays are good moment to show respect of other people. Regardless of their differences, people exchange best wishes to each other during such moments of happiness.
“I always celebrate ‘Eid’ with my friends and neighbors regardless of their religion. Even some of my relatives who are non-Muslims, always long for Ramadan because they want to share good moments with me.
Government should also expand the practice of instilling tolerance and mutual respect to all regions. The conflicts that attempted to use religious causes as well as the volunteer services of the youth in Addis Ababa show that the youth are always ready to act as per the leadership they are given. If they are pushed towards sectarian violence, they are likely to cause a lot of destruction. But if they are also taught about peace and tolerance they are still in a position to spread peace and harmony. Therefore, all stakeholders need to proactively work towards dragging the youth in such peaceful and harmonious activities before they become hijacked by the destructive forces.
The Ethiopian Herald June 7,2019
BY STAFF REPORTER
