Ethiopian Muslims gather in the capital to celebrate holiday

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

October 12, 2007 (DDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Muslims across the nation have today colorfully and peace fully celebrated the 1,428th Eid AlFetir Eid’l Fitr, the end of the Muslim month-long Ramadan fasting.

Addressing the Muslim faithful gathered at the Addis Ababa Stadium to celebrate the day, Vice President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC), Sheik Elias Redman called on the Muslim community to celebrate the holiday peacefully by sharing with the poor.

”The Muslim community is able to colorfully celebrate it’s holiday in public as the result of the government’s full attention to the equality of religions and peoples” he added.

He also called on all Muslims to collectively strengthen their efforts to develop the country in all aspects.

Sheik Elias further said while celebrating Eid’l Fitr, the Muslim community should develop the culture of tolerance and sharing and should make continual support to HIV/AIDS victims and orphans.

The capital Addis Ababa was high on alert as there were some unconfirmed terror threats from some anti peace elements.

Ethiopia has long history of religious tolerance. Both the Muslim and Christians has been living together without conflict, in a peaceful manner for hundreds of years.

Ethiopia was a land where its king, Negus or Al-Najashi, was a person renowned for justice and in whose land human rights were cherished.

The first migration [Hijra] of the Companions and relatives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to Ethiopia celebrates the birth of freedom of expression and beliefs, whereas, the Second Migration of the Prophet Muhammad to the Madinah celebrates the end of oppression.

(ST)