Ethiopia sees Muslim anti-government protests
Posted By Mesfin Tadese
Aug 5, 2013, ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) – Anti-government Muslims in
Ethiopia are calling for mass demonstrations to be held on the religious
day of Eid al-Fitr later this week to protest the arrests of 28 people
on terror charges.
The calls follow a weekend of violence in which three people were
killed when security forces clashed with what police labeled Muslim
“extremists.”
Hundreds of people held rallies near mosques in the capital, Addis Ababa, and some regional towns on Friday and Saturday.
Police in the Oromia region said some protesters fired guns at
police. The state news agency said all three killed were police officers
and that 11 people were injured during the hours-long unrest. Muslim
leaders, however, said that police stormed a peaceful protest and killed
about a dozen people.
Anti-government Muslims in Ethiopia on Monday called for mass
demonstrations to be held on the religious day of Eid al-Fitr later this
week to protest the arrests of 28 people on terror charges.
The calls followed a weekend of violence in which three people were
killed after security forces clashed with what police labeled Muslim
“extremists.”
Hundreds of people held rallies near mosques in the capital, Addis Ababa, and some regional towns on Friday and Saturday.
Police in the Oromia region said some protesters fired guns at
police. The state news agency said all three killed were police officers
and that 11 people were injured during the hours-long unrest. Muslim
leaders, however, said that police stormed a peaceful protest and killed
about a dozen people.
Some in Ethiopia’s Muslim community – about one-third of the
predominantly Christian nation – have been protesting alleged government
interference in religious affairs for about two years.
The Muslim protesters accuse the government of unconstitutionally
encouraging a moderate teaching of Islam called Al-Ahbash. Other
protests have also turned violence in the past.
Rights groups and the U.S. Commission on Intentional Religious
Freedom blame the government for the ongoing tensions with Muslims.
Most of the protest leaders are now behind bars and face terrorism
charges. In December, 28 activists pleaded not guilty to the terror
charges. The trial has since then continued behind closed doors with the
press and family members denied access to the proceedings. Defense
lawyers say the court is yet to deliver a verdict.
During the latest protests at the Grand Anwar mosque in the capital,
some shouted slogans demanding the release of the activists.
“The illegal activities are being spearheaded by few Salafists who
have been plotting terror attacks including the killings of religious
scholars,” the country’s federal police said in a statement. “The
Ethiopian government and Ethiopian people will continue to work together
to protect the peace and stability of the nation that enjoyed religious
tolerance during its long history.”
–
NBC10
source : http://ayyaantuu.com/horn-of-africa-news/ethiopia-sees-muslim-anti-government-protests/
