Organization of Ethiopian Muslims, Islam in Ethiopia
Muslim students of MU which are sheltered in the city Mosque since last friday. Ethiopia is home to Harar, which according to UNESCO, is "considered 'the fourth holy city' of Islam," with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines. [11][12] In Islamic history and tradition, Ethiopia (Abyssinia or Al-Habasha) is known as the "Haven of the First Migration or Hijra." For Muslims, Ethiopia is synonymous with freedom from persecution and emancipation from fear. According to the latest 1994 national census, Islam is the main religion of the imperial court and hence also of the feudal establishment until Haile Selassie was deposed in 1974. Since the religion and state have been separated In the sixth year of the Hijra, the Prophet wrote letters to different rulers of the world inviting them to Islam. Among the first leaders to receive the letter was the King of Ethiopia refused their demands. The Prophet himself instructed his followers to leave the Abyssinians in peace, thus exempting them from a holy war. Many words in Ge ez, the classical language of the Ethiopians, are to be found in the Holly Quran. The first muezzin calling the faithful to prayer in the prophets time was an Ethiopian named Bilal, as his compatriots recall with pride to this day. A community group in Ottawa has taken up the case of Makhtal, arguing that he has been denied access to lawyers and consular officials. They have called on the federal government to intervene in Makhtal's case Muslim students in all Ethiopian higher institutions across the country held a protest against the action taken by Mekelle university. Today’s protest and hunger strike started by Muslim students is a clear message to the country’s political leadeship, beyond their respective administration, that the time of religious discrimination is long gone and any regulation that oblige muslims to choose between their religion and religion is not welcome. By holding these actions Muslims students demonstrated their brotherhood to the Muslim students of Addis Ababa, Jimma, Harar,