The Trial and the Documentary
The documentary “Jihadawi
Harekat", sponsored by the state-owned television and security
forces in Ethiopia that I watched on youtube a week ago is indicative of the
terrible political situation in Ethiopia. Basically, the documentary aims to
convince the viewer that the “terrorism” witnessed in Afghanistan, Mali and
Nigeria is coming to our own backyard through the Muslim activists who are
presently on trial.
In one of the unedited parts of the
documentary, a frightened, harmless-looking young man sits in a chair before
his torturers/interrogators. He speaks with a soft low voice. When his voice
betrays him, he gestures with his head. Whenever his interrogators raise their
voices, change their tone or argue with him, he just nods in agreement as if to
free himself from their torture or as if to rid himself of his tormentors. The
young man looks exhausted and desperate. Comparing the last picture taken of
him before his arrest to the picture in the documentary shows the suffering he
has undergone over the last six months since his detention in late July, 2012.
The state-owned television showed
the six-part documentary on all of its channels (Channel 1, 2, 3, 4 ...). The
trials of over 29 muslim Ethiopians who are accused of planning to commit
terrorist activities or engaging in terrorism in Ethiopia are being held in a
special chamber, close to the notorious Kality prison on the outskirts of Addis
Ababa. It is alleged in the documentary that Muslim activists were working day
and night to establish an Islamic State of Ethiopia. That is an idea I believe
even Allah-God himself does not have. It never occurred to the
rebel-turned-government that if God is purposeful, he doesn’t dream of an
Islamic Ethiopia. As Sheikh Muhammod Said, an 82 year-old Ethiopian resident of
Toronto, said at a fundraiser in December 2012, “Ethiopian Muslims could not
even dream, let alone think of forming an Islamic state.”
The Ethiopian government sees in the
Believers what the Believers themeslves could never dream of. If even countries
with Muslim majorities, such as Turky, vow to defend their secular statehood to
the death, how could minority Muslims wish to form an Islamic State of Ethiopia
where they form only one third of the nation? (Of course, I understand some
Muslims do not accept this census). In any case, the idea of forming an Islamic
government, as alleged by the late-dictator Zenawi and his successors, is
insanity of the highest form. The sole purpose of the allegation is to generate
fear and anxiety among Christian Ethiopians.
Even more insane is the government’s
audacity in showing the documentary on TV. The documentary is intended to have
a double impact: to frighten ordinary Christian Ethiopians into believing that
terrorists are coming into their own backyards, and to thinking that the
government protecting them from Islamist fanatics who were conspiring to spill
blood in Ethiopia. This is a believable story for Christians who have lost
their churches or loved ones because of some rowdy outlaws. It is the one-sided
conclusion of a dicatator. Of course, many will heed it.
Unintended consequence and the
Danger
Here is the unintended consequence
of the documentary that the producers either did not have the intelligence to
foresee, or wilfully chose to ignore. Ethiopian Mulims could be inspired by the
acts of savagery that the detainees have suffered. Any sane Muslim would not be
happy to see their fellow Muslims being tortured, humiliated, and paraded on TV
in an undignified manner. Any muslim, including those who have disagreement and
difference with the detainees, even those who are in the TPLF camp, will regret
this acts of cruelity by the TPLFites. What the government labled as criminals
or terrorists will be heroes in the heart of every muslim and rational
christians. The persistence of the Muslims’ resistance in various forms despite
the attacks on their leaders over the 12 months and the big demonstrations we
saw in the last couple of Fridays in Addis Ababa are good illustrations. The
dangerous consequence of the video, which will be very unfortunate if it
happens, is that this movement will be more of a religious issue that concerns
only the Muslims than a justice issue that concerns every Ethiopian or humanity
as Obang Metho says. Those Ethiopians, especially the Christians, who are
vulnerable to the deceptive and sensitive narration of the Jihadists
undertaking to control Ethiopia that the TPLFites are alleging, will definitely
side with the government on this matter.
What shall we do?
Here is my position. The burden is
on us to keep this movement a struggle for justice; not a struggle for
religious dominancy. The only way all Ethiopians can become part of the
Muslim’s struggle is if their struggle is a struggle for justice; for the rule
of law. That is the only way to abort the governments’ effort to divide
Christian and Muslim Ethiopians. As I stated earlier, the documentary aims to
keep Muslims and Christians apart; to make one enemy of the other. To make one
look like a threat to the other; to instill suspicion in each other’s heart. We
should not surrender to that trap. That is the TPLFites’ trap; they only target
their immediate success and they sacrifice whatever they control, including us,
to gain short-term victory. The solution for this is very clear; we should make
the Muslims’ demand a demand for civil and political rights.
The problem Muslim Ethiopians
currently face stems from the absence of responsible civilized government that
is elected by and accountable to its own people. The detention of innocent
Ethiopians did not start with the detention Muslim activists. It was there
before July 2012. Jehadawi Harekat is also a continuation of Akeldama and other
pre and post-2005 documentaries produced by the government to either create
fear among the public or influence the outcome of a mock trial. The detention
of the Muslim activists is also part and parcel of the violent onslaught the
TPLF government unleashed over the peaceful democratic forces of Ethiopia
(political parties, journalists and labour unions), over the last 22 years.
What ties the detentions, abuses, including the attack on the Muslim activists,
and the persecution, together is that they are all perpetrated by an
illegitimate government that does not respect its own constitution. The
Muslims’ question is therefore a political one whatever hard some try to avoid
that label.
Other than making the movement a
political one, fellow Muslim Ethiopians should refrain from any kind of action
that fuels the accusations of the government and the fear of non-Muslim Ethiopians.
One good example I personally disagree with and many friends confided in me is
their concern about the speech by the Egyptian American Sheik at the first year
anniversary of the Muslims’ protest that was held a couple of weeks ago in
Washington, DC. The speech was for most part a great tribute paid to Ethiopia’s
contribution to the survival of Islam. However, the speaker’s reference to the
state/government of Ethiopia as a “Christian government” did not settle well
with many people. That kind of reference has the power of destroying the great
message the Sheikh delivered. Therefore, I advise Muslim activists to be
cautious when they invite guest speakers at their events.
The remark made by the MC at the
above-noted occasion also made some of us uncomfortable. The MC said that the
Sheikh was so intelligent that every time the Muslim Ethiopians at the First
Hijera discuss about what to do in Ethiopia to demand their rights, they turn
to the Egyptian American Sheikh for advice. This is a confirmation of the
government’s allegation that the Muslim protesters were supported and incited
by outsiders. Knowing that Egypt and Ethiopia are long-time rivals, turning to
an Egyptian Muslim, seeking an advice about what we do in Ethiopia is both
misguided and dangerous.
LONGLIVE ETHIOPIA
FROM SEBIAWI
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