http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2014/Jul-04/262673-ethiopian-muslims-stage-anti-government-protest.ashx#axzz36VudlSnG
Jul. 04, 2014 | 06:15 PM
Ethiopian Muslims stage anti-government protest
Agence France Presse
ADDIS ABABA: Hundreds of Muslims protesters demonstrated in Ethiopia Friday,
demanding the release of 17 of their leaders jailed under terrorism charges
last year.
"What the government is doing doesn't solve the problem, rather it will
worsen the situation," said protestor Mohammad Seman, speaking at the
demonstration following busy Friday prayers at a popular Addis Ababa mosque.
The leaders were arrested last August, following months of protests by
Muslims accusing the government of interfering in religious affairs. They
are currently on trial for intending to "carry out acts of terrorism."
Protesters accuse the government of forcibly imposing the foreign Al-Ahbash
branch of Islam, and appointing leaders, or majlis, of the Supreme Council
on Islamic Affairs who are traditionally elected by members of the Muslim
community.
"We want our freedom, we want neutral majlis," said protester Noureddine
Ali.
The demonstrators carried banners reading "let our voices be heard," and
"we will fight for our religion and rights" at the rally, before police
arrested several protestors, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.
Seman said that the government should release the leaders and urged talks
with the Muslim community.
"It is better to solve the problem with peaceful means," he said.
The government did not return calls for comment Friday.
Human Rights Watch has urged the government to free the jailed leaders,
accusing it of a "brutal crackdown" on protests.
Ethiopia has come under fire for its controversial anti-terrorism
legislation, which rights groups have said is used to silence critics.
Over 30 percent of Ethiopia's 91 million people are Muslim, while around 60
percent practice Orthodox Christianity, according to official figures.
Received on Fri Jul 04 2014 - 21:19:10 EDT