In richly wide-ranging colors, Ethiopians are celebrating grand religious festivals, Mawlid and Meskel. Today, Ethiopian Muslims are celebrating Mawlid, the 1498th birthday of the Prophet Muhammad; and tomorrow, the Christians will celebrate Meskel, the Discovery of the True Cross upon which Christ was crucified.
Both the holidays are celebrated among the adherents of Islam and Christians warmly and colorfully for their spiritual significance. Essentially, the believers from these religions are sharing happiness and festivities regardless of religious differences.
As far as one can tell, Ethiopia is a country where various nations, nationalities and peoples coexist peacefully; and the nation is also a model for being a land where varied cultural and religious practices are exercised freely.
These festivals, apart from their religious and cultural importance, promote the nation’s rich heritages; clearly demonstrate Ethiopia’s religious and cultural diversities that are specific to peoples with various backgrounds.
They are also pivotal in building a strong bond and creating a sense of belonging between and among the people. Besides, the holidays create opportunities for Ethiopians to demonstrate love and respect for one another.
In fact, despite their ethnic, traditional, religious and cultural differences, Ethiopians are always known for their communal harmony. This has also been reflected in their day to day life and in several other aspects as well.
It is not uncommon to watch people with different backgrounds, religion, ethnicity, culture and other values, living together in harmony and peacefully with a sense of solidarity and togetherness.
In this regard, cultural and religious festivals are just one example that displays Ethiopians’ unity, togetherness and communal harmony. Seeing Muslims supporting their Christian friends and vice versa in both good and bad times, is a thing that is ordinary among Ethiopians.
Mainly, because the core principle of all the festivals lie on bringing one people closer to another, promoting peace, love, tolerance, reconciliation, forgiveness and togetherness, they are very powerful platforms where belongingness amongst the people with different ethnicity, religion, culture or socio-economic backgrounds are further strengthened and a sense of unity and solidarity is nurtured.
What is more, the occasions are favorable instances that create an opportunity to learn the uniqueness of other communities, to appreciate and respect diversity, create social cohesion which makes everyone feel that the culture of one community is seen as its own.
And celebrating such religious and cultural festivals strengthens closeness amongst diverse groups; which is a strong foundation to create a more harmonious and inclusive society, build strong national consensus and ensure sustainable peace and development.
And when we, Ethiopians, celebrate religious and cultural festivals, we should further strengthen our solidarity and togetherness. As a diverse community intertwined with a shared future, we have to use such celebrations to promote solidarity, peace and togetherness among the peoples. When we mark festivals, we have to live up to the principles of the festivals.
We have to condemn all evil acts that incite division and hatred among us; we have to cultivate the values of peace, harmony, and unity. Instead of hatred and hostility, we have to prioritize solidarity and fraternity, peace rather than conflict and unity. In sum, Ethiopians are fascinatingly accustomed to exercising harmony, peace and love among themselves during religious festivals.
The Ethiopian Herald September 27/2023
