An Islamic history is a vital part of
Ethiopia's richness
21 August 2009 | HA Hellyer
‘We are sorry if you get woken up by the Muslim call to prayer in the
morning.” Those were some of the first words I heard at my hotel
when I arrived in Addis Ababa, on my first trip to Ethiopia. I confess –
I was a bit confused. Call to prayer? In the capital of a “Christian
country in a sea of Muslims”, as Ethiopia is sometimes called? Perhaps
I was in a Muslim quarter of Addis Ababa that had been recently
established?
No, the situation was far more complicated than that, and one about
which I had a surprisingly limited awareness. Most non-Ethiopians,
including the immediate neighbours of Ethiopia, also believe that
Ethiopia is predominantly Christian. The more sophisticated might
believe that there is a Muslim minority – and it was to learn about that
population that drew me to Ethiopia in the first place. But it is not a
minority. About 55 per cent of Ethiopia’s parliament is Muslim and
representatives from the country’s Islamic community insist they are at
least 50 per cent of the population. While the US State Department
estimates that this number is a bit lower, Islam might actually be the
religion with the most adherents in Ethiopia.
If there is any “Muslim quarter” in Addis, it must be an old one.
Christianity was the first religion to arrive in Ethiopia – but only in the
north of the country. Where the capital, Addis Ababa, is located, the
area of Shawa, was the domain of a Muslim sultanate in the early 8th
century. Most historical narratives portray Ethiopia’s as a Christian
story. If Islam is even mentioned, it is associated with disconnected
tribesman in the lowlands who battled Christian kingdoms in the
highlands. But history is written by the powerful and now academics
are rediscovering the Muslim history of this country of such noble
heritage.
As I met people from Ethiopia’s Muslim community, I was struck by
their diversity. Most Ethiopian Muslims are influenced by Sufism, and
follow the same Sunni rites as their neighbours in Yemen, Somalia and
Djibouti (the Shafi’i rite) – but there are also adherents of other Sunni
rites, and a significant Salafi movement within Ethiopia. There are
dozens of ethnic and linguistic groups among Muslim Ethiopians, from
all areas of the country.
But what they share is a long history of discrimination against them.
Early Christian-Muslims relations in Ethiopia were very good – the
Prophet of Islam sent several Muslim refugees to live among Christians
in Ethiopia, who had a very high opinion of the king at that time, who
later became Muslim...... More
Ethiopia's richness
21 August 2009 | HA Hellyer
‘We are sorry if you get woken up by the Muslim call to prayer in the
morning.” Those were some of the first words I heard at my hotel
when I arrived in Addis Ababa, on my first trip to Ethiopia. I confess –
I was a bit confused. Call to prayer? In the capital of a “Christian
country in a sea of Muslims”, as Ethiopia is sometimes called? Perhaps
I was in a Muslim quarter of Addis Ababa that had been recently
established?
No, the situation was far more complicated than that, and one about
which I had a surprisingly limited awareness. Most non-Ethiopians,
including the immediate neighbours of Ethiopia, also believe that
Ethiopia is predominantly Christian. The more sophisticated might
believe that there is a Muslim minority – and it was to learn about that
population that drew me to Ethiopia in the first place. But it is not a
minority. About 55 per cent of Ethiopia’s parliament is Muslim and
representatives from the country’s Islamic community insist they are at
least 50 per cent of the population. While the US State Department
estimates that this number is a bit lower, Islam might actually be the
religion with the most adherents in Ethiopia.
If there is any “Muslim quarter” in Addis, it must be an old one.
Christianity was the first religion to arrive in Ethiopia – but only in the
north of the country. Where the capital, Addis Ababa, is located, the
area of Shawa, was the domain of a Muslim sultanate in the early 8th
century. Most historical narratives portray Ethiopia’s as a Christian
story. If Islam is even mentioned, it is associated with disconnected
tribesman in the lowlands who battled Christian kingdoms in the
highlands. But history is written by the powerful and now academics
are rediscovering the Muslim history of this country of such noble
heritage.
As I met people from Ethiopia’s Muslim community, I was struck by
their diversity. Most Ethiopian Muslims are influenced by Sufism, and
follow the same Sunni rites as their neighbours in Yemen, Somalia and
Djibouti (the Shafi’i rite) – but there are also adherents of other Sunni
rites, and a significant Salafi movement within Ethiopia. There are
dozens of ethnic and linguistic groups among Muslim Ethiopians, from
all areas of the country.
But what they share is a long history of discrimination against them.
Early Christian-Muslims relations in Ethiopia were very good – the
Prophet of Islam sent several Muslim refugees to live among Christians
in Ethiopia, who had a very high opinion of the king at that time, who
later became Muslim...... More
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| Ethiopia's History of National Resistance for African Unity & Dignity PART - ONE PART - TWO PART - THREE |
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| The Mawlid:a season of thanks and celebration Jihad Hashim Brown Where is the Muslim anger over Darfur? Are they the 'wrong' kind of Muslims if they self-identify as black African instead of Arab? Ed Husain A leap of faith "The question arises as to why Ethiopia? The Prophet could have chosen a safe haven for his followers in any of Arabia's other neighbours: modern-day Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Iraq or Iran. Instead he chose Ethiopia, largely, it is said, because of the righteous reputation of Ethiopia's king, the Negus or Al-Najashi. "Go to Ethiopia, there is a king there that is just," Prophet Mohamed told his followers. His counsel proved to be wise..... More |
| A Glimpse of Mystic Ethiopia "..Like everyone else, I needed to thread both myth and history, in my effort to understand the present." More |
| Clashes of What? "..To be honest and precise the only big threat today is the clashes of extremists.” More |
| Nejashi Mosque "..the mosque, which is taken as a symbol of religious co-existence, is becoming one of the tourist attractions worldwide.." More |
| Bilal The Abysinian "One night he had a dream, and the prophet asked him, "O Bilal, why have you not visited me?" After waking, Bilal left immediately for Medina, where the prophet was buried. When he arrived, the prophet's grandsons asked him to make the call to prayer, and he agreed. When Bilal began to recite the call to prayer, the entire mosque and those within earshot began to weep uncontrollably because Bilal's voice was so closely associated with the prophet....." More |
| Archeologists discover three medieval towns "..The remains of mosques, residential areas and city walls, and buildings with walls several meters high stud the sites of the medieval towns of Asbari, Masal and Nora." More |
Ethiopian Muslims mark birthday of
Prophet Mohamed
27 Febbruary, 2010 | APA
The Addis Ababa City Islamic Affairs Supreme Council President,
Sheikh Seid Gizaw said the faithful shall vow to follow the grand
principles and lifestyle of Prophet Mohamed while celebrating Mawlud.
Ethiopia is home to the first mosque in Africa-Al Nejashi, located in the
northern part of the country.
“Ethiopia is a country where a culture of religious tolerance and
tranquillity reigns among the nations, nationalities, and peoples of the
nation,” said Sheikh Gizaw.
The event, which comprises mass prayers in the presence of thousands
of Muslims, was given a huge media coverage by Ethiopian state and
private media.
Prophet Mohamed
27 Febbruary, 2010 | APA
- Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - Millions of
Ethiopian Muslims across the
country on Friday marked the
birthday of Prophet Mohamed.
The birthday of Prophet Mohamed
otherwise known as ‘Mawlud Nabi’
among the Islamic community, was
celebrated colourfully at the Anuar
The Addis Ababa City Islamic Affairs Supreme Council President,
Sheikh Seid Gizaw said the faithful shall vow to follow the grand
principles and lifestyle of Prophet Mohamed while celebrating Mawlud.
Ethiopia is home to the first mosque in Africa-Al Nejashi, located in the
northern part of the country.
“Ethiopia is a country where a culture of religious tolerance and
tranquillity reigns among the nations, nationalities, and peoples of the
nation,” said Sheikh Gizaw.
The event, which comprises mass prayers in the presence of thousands
of Muslims, was given a huge media coverage by Ethiopian state and
private media.
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