Ethiopian Review has been the most tolerant among the Ethiopian media as far as allowing free expression of ideas and views, even though some of the views expressed tend to be full of hatred and insults.
Recently I have been receiving complaints from readers, particularly fellow Muslim Ethiopians, about some comments that are being posted on Ethiopian Review’s comments sections. Indeed some of the comments contain languages that do not belong in a civilized discourse.
Relations between Ethiopia’s two major religions — Christian and Muslim — have been harmonious for centuries. What I am witnessing these days, however, is disconcerting. It is the responsibility of every Ethiopian to make sure that the harmonious relations between Ethiopia’s Christians and Muslims will continue to be a role model to the world.
To this end, I am introducing a new editorial policy: Negative views about the Christian or Muslim religions are prohibited on Ethiopian Review as of today.
The wise Emperor Menelik II said, hager yegara, haimanot yegil. Let’s keep religious views private and focus on how we can help build our Ethiopia, which belongs to all religions and ethnic groups.
Elias Kifle
Editor, Ethiopian Review
75 thoughts on “Ethiopian Review’s stand on freedom of speech”
I fully support ER’s stand on thic cardinal issues! Let’s respect ER’s policy, a policy we can and should live with it!
Well over due, but a very welcome editorial policy. I think, the policy should include ALL RELIGIONS.
Negative views about the “Christian or Muslim” need to be replaced by “ALL RELIGIONS” are prohibited on Ethiopian Review as of today.
Elias, you are right. Ethiopian review is not a place to entertain discourse on religion. however, individuals like memire paulos( aba diabelos) should be criticized for his part in promoting woyane agenda and ethinicism as well as any moselm leader who choose to promote woyane and its abhorent policies.
Elias,
i am one of your readers who believes that you do not believe in freedom of speach. i do not even think you understand the meaning of it. the reason why i say that i have posted many comments criticizing articles that were posted on your web and you did not post any of them. if you think freedom of speech is only for those who agree with your views then you got all wrong.However, i have to say that you got my full support on not posting any comment that undermine any religion. Ethiopian muslim and christians are always lived together with love and harmony and i want to see it continue like that. if we do anything that could jeoperdize this peace then we will be doing woyanes job because that is what those blood sukers want.
Love of God.Love of man and country are one and the same……God is love..that is the greatest freedom I hold dear. therefore I will defend that believe of my in when it is threatens in the name of politics or in the name of political correctness with regard and respect of other religion.
Elias, most the offending comments were posted on the comment section. therefore you should not be responsible for that , or those who were writing and emailing you hate full messages should have understand that. any how it is wise to have a new editorial policy. but let us not forget those who wants to see a strain relationship between Muslims and Christians in Ethiopia are the messengers of evil woyanie and its bandit leader from adwa. they can pretend on being Muslims and make negative comment on followers of Christianity or vis versa. let us be fully aware of that. i am commenting for the sake of it. otherwise the strong rooted relation between the two major religions can’t be shaken by the tribal juntas. ሲያምራቸው ይቅር !!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was Emperor Haile Selasie who said “Hager yegara new Haimanot yegil new” – not Emeror Menilik II.
The policy is excellent.
Freedom of information is an extension of freedom of speech where the medium of expression is the Internet. Freedom of information may also refer to the right to privacy in the context of the Internet and information technology. As with the right to freedom of expression, the right to privacy is a recognised human right and freedom of information acts as an extension to this right.[40] Freedom of information may also concern censorship in an information technology context, i.e. the ability to access Web content, without censorship or restrictions.[41]
Freedom of information is also explicitly protected by acts such as the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Ontario, in Canada.
The concept of freedom of information has emerged in response to state sponsored censorship, monitoring and surveillance of the internet. Internet censorship includes the control or suppression of the publishing or accessing of information on the Internet.[42] The Global Internet Freedom Consortium claims to remove blocks to the “free flow of information” for what they term “closed societies”.[43] According to the Reporters without Borders (RSB) “internet enemy list” the following states engage in pervasive internet censorship: Belarus, China, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Myanmar/Burma, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.[44]
A widely publicised example of internet censorship is the “Great Firewall of China” (in reference both to its role as a network firewall and to the ancient Great Wall of China). The system blocks content by preventing IP addresses from being routed through and consists of standard firewall and proxy servers at the Internet gateways. The system also selectively engages in DNS poisoning when particular sites are requested. The government does not appear to be systematically examining Internet content, as this appears to be technically impractical.[45] Internet censorship in the People’s Republic of China is conducted under a wide variety of laws and administrative regulations. In accordance with these laws, more than sixty Internet regulations have been made by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government, and censorship systems are vigorously implemented by provincial branches of state-owned ISPs, business companies, and organizations. – Wikipedia
http://xrl.us/bhus88
Elias
Rahimakallah!
keep up the great job, we love ethiopian review and its non-stop fight against tyranny of TPLF.
Finally! Thanks Elias for taking decisive action on this matter. All Ethiopians regardless what religion belong to should focus on the root of all evil and the real enemy of our country—Meles, Azeb and the rest of their close friends.
To discuss religion up to a point is ok, and negative remark might depend within some context. Over all, degrading other faith is the worst. I am curious to know what kind of negative exchange took place between Ethiopians of the two religions. We have heard every stinging, biting and what not of ethnic animosity these past decade, but religion? Well, may be the Dessie incident of 2009.
“The wise Emperor Menelik II said, hager yegara, haimanot yegil.”
I have heard many people of different generation, knowledge; education and background attribute this quote to Atse HaileSelassie I. If the original thinker was Atse Minilik II, that is even more advanced for his time. By the way, some people don’t appreciate that quote Each to his own.
inshallah
do you mean that your new policy prhobits criticism on aba Paulos? i dont think you mean that because aba Gebremedhen and christian religion are far apart like poles and have nothing in common.
Thanks Elias, this policy was long over due.
As to me any one who writes against the two great religions of Ethiopia is the enemy of Ethiopia. In fact I can say with 100% certainity, that person is not Ethiopian. We know who tries to wedge hate between Ethiopians. We know where it is coming from, and those loosers should note of this: we Ethiopians may have issues on politics, economics etc, but we are unified on the sovergnity of our country (except the anti-Ethiopia Melese criminal fmaily).
Those who wish bad for Ethiopia will be weakened and destroyed by the will of God. I don’t need to give examples. Everyone knows it. Both the Bible and the Queran have their warning to anyone against Ethiopia.
ER,
I hope my “freedom of speech” you consider gets posted. With all due respect, there are comments that I posted regarding Eritrea/Shaebia, you never posted it while they post most of their views. So, if you can take criticizm here is where it should start. But we can all learn from our mistakes, correct them and move forward. Therefore, I really agree with your policy, with current hot subject of religion these extreme views just incites hate, extremism. Sometimes, when we hear news related to religion and posted on such posts like yours, then we assume we are to comment of such views. The bottom line is to stop extremism from religions or politics. Some of us completely misunderstand to stop extremism does not mean to be silent and complacent when we obviously know such danger can come out of being indifferent for the sake of self or family.
Thanks Elias! Divisive characters need NOT be given a free ride.
“hager yegara, haimanot yegil.” is the an excellent principle and I do not care a bit as to who coined it. It can be a king, a cock, or a goat standing high up on the rock.
I completely differ with your bold assertion
“Ethiopian Review has been the most tolerant among the Ethiopian media as far as allowing free expression of ideas and views”.
It is not so as you want to convince us,how many times you have muzeld my views not for any un acceptable launge
I expressed but because you are unwilling to tolerate my view.The very fact my view differ with you generates the sense of alarm uneasiness on you.
Never mind,however, thanks to other news outlets my views will be expressed elswhere,including those views of mine which are contrary to yours. finally, I will fight my twin enemies shabia and TPLF to the last of my breath-And you MR.no matter how many times block my message you cant,I repeat make me to desire Shabia inorder to blog in to your forum.Every one knows your forum is for Askaries and Shabi not for True Ethiopians who make no distinction between Shabia and Weyanee.
You said it well, It would have even been better if the invitation [ad] that follows your comments spoke to both religions. I know the ad was there even before you started writing your comments, but still.
Thanks, keep up the fairness!
it was haile selassie who said that phrase not menelik.
also, comments should be free, even insults. but you should use the policy for the articles, not comments.
only woyanes and shabias try to create hatred between muslims and orthodox in ethiopia. so be aware of repeated comments from shabias and woyanes, the two enemies of ethiopia
Eventhough it´s good not to disrespect other people´s religion, at least for politically correct reasons, what I don´t underestand is why those muslims who felt hurt by the slander didn´t personally debate back those people instead of putting pressure on Elias? Can someone explain?
Figo, u said “Everyone knows your forum is…..”. How can u presume to know what everyone knows and doesn´t know? Isn´t that a bit arrogant?
In Ethiopia, religion has never been a source of problem. And never will be unless some greedy elements of the dictatorial regime continue to use religion to prolong its power.
In light of this, Ethiopian review’s decision not to entertain such issues is commendable.
thanks.
Alhamdulillah!!!
May you live blessed by our Creator!!!
You are consistent in your cardinal beliefs. Vile words and labels against others is the work of Sha’itan Iblis(شيطان). Both religions preach harmony and compassion to one another. But some time evil produces Eyalle Souks like Bin Laden who are bent on destruction and bloodsheds. In Uganda we also have Lord’s Resistance Army who hides behind a religion that forbids and despise harm to others.
Brother Elias!!! We thank you for making this platform open to everyone. We all agree with you that freedom comes with due diligent responsibilities. It should not be used beyond our historical limits, that is not to destroy ourselves as Allah’s children. We all have you in our prayers. We thank Him that you are among us and one of us.
Insha’Allah!!!
Right on, Brother!!!!
It is good to laugh sometimes. Whenever I read comic comments, such as comments like figo, it tickles me enough to laugh nonstop for couple minutes. Never mind battling sheabia, Figo won’t even kill a fly. When Figo, was post his/her comment, I am sure he/she was enjoying his/her well-done cheese-hamburger along with litter of soda. Dream/hallucination is free figo, so keep on dreaming kicking shaebia’s butt, before you die of high blood pressure/diabetes.
Nice move Mr Elias, Keep your promise.let us give religious news for religious media and religious people. Please do not be involved in any religious issue. Politics should not include religion.
Ekias,
This is your second story telling incidence that “HAGER YEGARA HAIMANOT YEGIL” theory that you mentioned as if it was said by Minilik. You may have to read and know before you misplaced things as you wish. You need to straight the record and put the facts
accordingly. It was Haile sellasie the first ( Teferi Mekonen ) who says Hager yegara haimanot yegil.
Dear Elias,
You have been an advocate of Freedom of Speech for a long time, and I wish you would stay that way even though you may have received some threats from several Muslim brothers and sisters…
… Elias Kifle has accepted their threatening demands, and it seems he is unwilling to post my final comments. I don’t blame him at all!
Elias Kifle replies:
July 31st, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Dear Assta, I did not receive threatening demands from any one. What I received was complaints mostly from fellow Christians who believe that religious hostility is too destructive to our society. Our generation has the responsibility to maintain the harmony between Christians and Muslim that our fathers and forefathers carefully nurtured for centuries.
“Hager yegara, haimanot yegil.” is the an excellent principle me.
figo is right ethiopian review never take my comment finally i quit this web is for individuls who says bravo elias but what elias don’t know is the outcome.you know elias i hate woyane than you because i am eritrean but there are something i don’t like about eritrean policy too.you see comment shape your poletical view or wrong thought.there fore use your web as education or information site.
Credits must be given where credit’s due–Eleas, please make a correction, it was Haile Selassae who said the very significant statement: “Hager yegara newe, Haymanote yegile newe”
I pray to Allah through his prophet Mohammad(peace be upon his name)to give Alias eternal life.
The famous quote was indeed said by Atse Haile Selassie I. The question is, its original thinker/producer. Did Haile Selassie resonate the same belief of Minilik’s?
Mestewat,
You are funny. It might matter who said it because it helps us understand their era and mind set better.
Now let us be honest in here.
There are no medias, be it Ethiopians or Eritreans web medias that are as free as Ethiopian-review. Truth, you claim that you are Eritrean, so do I, but is there any web that one can post anything he/she likes in Eritrean web, unless one is one-sided individual? Even worst, the groups that who claim opposition forces and pretend they represent “democracy”, let alone to take criticisms they don’t even have an icon for comments. Because they knew very well that they will be showered with hell of criticisms. Just so to let you know my side, although there are some issues that I disagree with the Eritrean government, I strongly support the government because I don’t see any viable opposition that are true to the people and the country, but they are power hungry maniacs with no good vision or intentions.
Correction: Mastewal
Elias,
What freedom of speech are you talking about ? As usaual, you are misplaced things. Ethiopia never had religious issues in the past, and it will never have one.Now you failed on everything else and your eyes is now on religion so you can divide us. What a fool !
This extremist guy/gal, Astta B. Gettu, is a one of the single most primitive abuser of his rights since he lacks understanding of the most elementary participles of rights and responsibilities(duties)):Or else the person is simply a disguised wayane agent promoting the ONE MAN dictator’s endless self serving internal and external missions of warfare while 80 million Ethiopians are starving to death.
No one individual or organization on this planet earth possesses absolute rights. Rights are always relative.
The good proverb, “your freedom ends where my nose begins” is one of the foundations of modern civilization and liberal democracy. … :)
Asta,
If it ever come to that point—people get forced to join other religion without their will, as it happened hundreds of years ago, then we can see your point and join you by all means of necessary. Currently, the horrors and atrocities the Christian and Muslim Ethiopians suffering everyday is caused by woyanes and the center of our attentions should be on Meles and Co. Not only Elias but many people have spoken and you need to come to terms with it and try to see and understand the views of other people.
May the goodness and love of God be upon on all Ethiopian Christians and Muslims and May the loving God remove the cancer of our country–Woyanes!
Suture is undercover Woyane!
I repeatdly commented on this sensitive issue of religion, especially to Assta be Getu and his likes. Now he is saying that Elias was threatned by some group becuase he could not express his hate mongering and vile words of his to certain segment of religion followers as if he was a holy sanctified person on this earth. What Ass ta Be Getu and his likes do not and could not understand is most of us can not select our religion as we can not select our parents an once you are in any one of those religions you would be offended if some one is contineously telling unkind remarks on your belief that you carry for long. I hope Ass Ta be getu does not like if his religion is insulted day in day out but he is happy to do it for others. What unfair person he is? Elias you are doing good job and avoid such inflamatory remarks from the likes of ass ta be getu who got unbriddled and offensive character. In the first place he should not talk about freedom of speech while he is tarnishing others religion.
Go Elias!
Finally you have shown all of us that you are sane human being. I hope this thoughtfulness and responsible media attitude will bring us all together
I am not sure there has been anymore negative depiction of the great religion of Islam here, although there could have been a word or two here and there that may have slipped through the cracks while I have been busy trading facts with Woyanes. If some people felt there has been some denigration of their religion, then I’d say do not keep quiet, answer back. If the denigration persists, Elias can ban those people.
That aside, the issue of Freedom of Expression is the only way for an open communication. You can have a great mind all around and if they do not have the access to communicate their ideas, which requires an open medium, progress suffers as a result. Having a great mind is one thing, and sharing the thoughts contained in it is completely different altogether, because one needs to have open platform to share the thought.
Fortunately, the world has half the number of radically rigid minds. Somehow good ideas find their way to the right stage if not in time, but at some point. The problem in developed nations is that minorities and new migrants are looked at as if they have no good ideas to contribute or sometimes they are intimidated from expressing their ideas and opinions. Even though there are laws to protect freedom of speech and information but to the average minority those are off limit. So, great minds are usually do not find a suitable atmosphere to flourish.
Dear Assta,
A lot of people are going to miss your postings. Nobody wants their religion offended therefore the editor’s stand and the controversy is understandable. However, for information and the right-to-know sake, you need to create a simple white page webpage and post your research without being insensitive or inappropriate. Just post the link.
How about us, the non-religious?
Ethiopia is not only a county of the 2 religions, I and many others are non-religious; imagine those who live in the remote areas of the Gambela and the like parts of the country. I am an atheist and need my voice heard. We have to be tolerant and fair to the extent that we the non-religious got chance in the media.
Thanks
CUCU
Actually, you should not tolerate hate at any level. Even hate towards certain ethnic groups. I have seen several hateful comments made towards Tigres as well as Muslims. So, I say that HATE should not be tolerated at any level.
Those of you who do not understand my view, you will understand it when the Ethiopian Christians live the lives of the Coptic Christians in Egypt.
Assta,
Let anyone who does not share your concern shall be cursed the old testament curse. As a covenant country, it is unlikely Ethiopia would meet the fate of Turkey, Syria or Egypt though. We suffer, however, long and extreme period as in Grang’s time (15 years), Gudit’s and her successors time (40 years), Italian occupation (five years), and so called Ahzab era of the last 30 years…. In the end, a new heart is given to the new generation, but we lose the first-born status age after age because of our sins.
http://xrl.us/be8a9p
The Arab-Muslim conquest of Egypt
Muslim conquest of Egypt The Arab Muslim invasion of Egypt took place in 639 A.D. Despite the political upheaval, Egypt remained a mainly Christian land, although the gradual conversions to Islam over the centuries changed Egypt from a mainly Christian to a mainly Muslim country by the end of the 12th century. This process was sped along by persecutions during and following the reign of the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah (reigned AD 996–1021) and the Crusades, and also by the acceptance of Arabic as a liturgical language by the Pope of Alexandria Gabriel ibn-Turaik.[9]
During Islamic rule, the Copts needed to pay a special tax called the jizya in order to be defended by Muslim armies, as non-Muslims were not allowed to serve in the army. This tax was abolished in 1855. –Wikipedia
http://xrl.us/bhuv4e
Black Stalin by Alex Shoumatoff, Dispatches, from November 1991 issue of Vanity Fair
With platform shoes to make him look taller, he was a bantamweight dictator, but did some heavyweight damage. He destroyed what had been a promising country, if slightly behind the times, the oldest black civilization and the only African nation besides Liberia never to have been colonized. Raising his clenched fist in the Black Power salute, his chin jutting out il Duce-Style, his eyes suffused with feline sangfroid, he would promise to crush into rivers of blood the secessionist traitors and tribal bandits, the sinister external forces and internal conspiracies bent on dismembering the country, while the men in the conscripted multitude chanted “Forward!” and the woman fluttered their shoulders and ululated in the traditional fashion. Now the square is deserted. No one is standing in the bleachers where Mengistu’s generals, ministers, and what was left of the Dergue , the committee of 108 idealistic junior officers who overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie seventeen years ago, had applauded nervously, not knowing who among them would be the next to be eliminated. Conspicuously absent is the huge, detested statue of Lenin, like Mengistu himself one of the last casualties of glasnost…. The whereabouts of the statue are unknown, shrouded in mystery like the whereabouts of Haile Sellasie’s body, and even the simplest, most harmless piece of information in this almost impenetrable society. Perhaps the way to penetrate it is to start with the Ethiopians who have withdrawn from it. I’ve heard from the Columbia University anthropologist William Bushell about these amazing hermits who are Christians – eremitic Christians (from which the word “hermit” comes) – but are more like Hindusadhus or Tibetan crazy yogins. They spend years in caves or trees (the latter are known as dendrites), using breath control to generate body heat and alter their consciousness. People claim to have seen them streaking across the desert at superhuman speed. A few weeks before Mengistus’s flight, one of these barefoot, wild-eyed desert mystics looking like John the Baptist with his dreadlocks and animal skin, appeared in Addis prophesying that a big black snake was going to fall from the sky, and it would soon be followed by lots of little snakes. Some of these hermits wall themselves up in tombs, living with the decaying corpses to remind them of their own mortality. People put their ears to the tomb, and the hermit speaks to them. We’ve gotten directions to one who has inhabited a succession of tombs since the revolution of 1974. His take on recent events ought to be interesting. The hermit’s current domicile is in a graveyard of the forested mountains outside of town. It is a flat, dressed-stone crypt, we discover, with an epitaph chiseled in Ethiopic script, and it is shaded by ancient tel cedars. The scent of frankincense and myrth drifts over from the nearby church. He comes down to meet us in a sort of consultation room below the tomb, where he receives his visitors, and old man wrapped in a wrinkled tan blanket, with matted coils of hair under a black qob ቆብ, or monk’s cap, and metal staff – the sort of dude who wouldn’t seem at all out of place these days in any good size American city. We belong to one of the most backward people, the hermit begins. God has blessed you with wisdom and peace. What is it that you want of me? I begin by asking, what make you renounce the world and become a bahitawi, a hermit? He is eunuch, translates Asefa, the young Ethiopian who has come with us. When he was child, he was castrated. Some of the tribal people in the backlands still castrate anybody they can find, as proof of their machismo. They present the balls to their prospective father-in-law when asking for his daughter’s hand or, reportedly, wear them around their necks. Next question: Do you ever pray for an end to the suffering of the Ethiopian people? Yes. But in monasteries all over the country, men of treat prayer present this issue to the Almighty, so his role, he says, is insignificant. Are you aware of the suffering Mengistu caused? Yes. He followed events through the newspaper, and nothing escaped his attention. He had visions of impending disaster, so Mengistu’s overthrow came as no surprise. But Mengistu and his people were not righteous, so God did not reveal the future to them. Why has there been all this terrible suffering? What have the Ethiopians done to deserve the famine and Mengistu? It is Ye-Egzihabher Fird ፍርድ , the judgment of God. If the people had genuinely called the name of the Lord, the famine and Mengistu could not have happened. Our faith is questionable. Our nations is like a tree burned by fire, whose leaves have fallen. Will the leaves return? He is dead-sure, Asefa says.
Ethiopica Calenderica: http://xrl.us/be8ou9
Yohannes Ejigu#39
First, learn how to write my name properly; then you can egest out your poxy comment that no one learns anything from: my name is Assta B. Gettu, not Ass B. Gettu or Ass Ta be getu. Does anyone learn something from a name purposely miss-spelled? If you can hardly see the letters, ask someone to help you or buy Braille and learn to write some words appropriately. You can mess with your messy life but not with my precious name. It is understandable my educational comment has crippled parts of your body, blinded your eyes, and finally nullified your faith. You are speechless, pointless, but you are smart in messing up with someone’s name that you disdain.
Dear Assta Be Getu,
“The bloodthirsty hate the upright”
Bible, Proverbs 29: 10
Do you remember reading the following comments directed to you a year ago in August 2009? I wish you learnt some thing from all of these people who are raising thier voice against hostility towards one another.
Ethiopian Review August 2009.
Yohannes Ejigu says:
I am really shocked and disturbed to read a comment by Assta B Getu regarding the religion of Islam. I am a Christian lived in a Muslim country for over a decade and offended by his immature and ill versed remark. Assta B Getu must be a sick person, who is throwing his vile hate on a paper. He is mentally incompetent and the worst hate monger who is lacking the ability to understand his environment. He lacks the basic rule of civility, and his ignorance about the principles of universal declaration of human rights and his deep rooted hatred to fellow human beings with a different religion blinds his poor judgment. To Assta B Getu’s dismay, his evil revulsion to the followers of Islam religion will not dissipate them on to thin air.
He has to learn to live with every human being regardless of their belief, race, color, and ethnicity with respect and dignity to one another. If he is Ethiopian, which I am in doubt, Assta would have learnt from the Ethiopian people, Christian and Muslims living in harmony side by side with respect and love to one another for many years. If Assta needs to lead a peaceful and respectful life he needs to learn how to respect others. This is the basic to all civil society which is governed by universal declaration of human rights doctrine. However, if Assta understands this and bent to incite hatred and instigate revulsion to a certain group of a society just because they believed in a religion not similar to his own, then Assta and his likes will be treated as a cancer that needs to be get rid of before it spread its venom to the Ethiopian homogeneous community.
Do you understand? You do not have to be hateful to a fellow Ethiopian with different religion belief or opinion. As George Bernand Shaw puts it ” Hate is the coward’s revenge for being humiliated” You may be a coward but I do not think that you have been humiliated by any one in the religion that you hate so deeply.
Grow up Ass Ta Be Gettu and admit it no one wants us to be in disarray or tearing apart each other except Woyane and prove it for the ER audience that you are not a woyane.
My dear tt7 #42, #46 & #47,
I’m glad I have so many good Ethiopian Christian friends like you whose concern about Ethiopia is also my main and great concern. The information you have provided me is impressive and valuable. It is true, men influenced by worldly pleasure break their words or their covenants, but the Almighty God never breaks his word or his covenant that has protected Ethiopia for so many centuries and will continue to protect her from being decimated by her enemies who always plan for her destruction because of its faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The fall of Emperor Haile Selassie, the devastating famine, the rise and fall of Mengistu Haile Mariam, and the present dire condition of the Ethiopian people have been foretold by many Ethiopian holy men that we call (1) ባሕታውያን =ብቸኞች (2) ባሕታዊ=ብቸኗ from the Geez verb ተባሕተወ=ብቸኗ ሆነ.
I have met some of these holy hermits (The word hermit comes from the Geez verb ሐረመ=ተወ and from this Geez verb comes ኸርሚት=ይኅነን ዓለም የተወ ወይም የናቀ) when I was in Ethiopia, and it has happened exactly what they had told me to happen. And I am so glad we still have such holy men and holy women in our country. These are not ordinary people: They are truly holy men. I vividly remember when I was at ቆሎ ትምሕርት ቤት one ባሕታዊ who has no name, but we gave him a name, and the new name we gave him was አባ ኩርፊያ. The reason we gave him this name was that he looked always serious; he never mingled himself with people: he was always by himself. He never had food to eat, and one day we invited him to come to our little hut (ጎጆ) and eat our ቆሎ with us. It was late in the afternoon, and he kindly came, sat on the floor, blessed our ቆሎ, and, before we started eating, he disappeared before our eyes. We left our meal, went to his room, and looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen. We were told by some people who knew him very well that if you saw him in the morning in Gondar city, you could see him in the afternoon in Axum Zion or at Amba-Gshen-Mariam. The amazing history of the Ethiopian holy fathers, their fasting, their prayers, and their complete dedication to God day and night have always been puzzling to the Europeans and even to some Ethiopians. Most of the time, these holy men don’t live in a house or in ደጀሰላም; they live in the wilderness, and the wild animals never attack them. Once in awhile, they show up in the Church to warn the people the impending danger, and then they disappear. By the prayers of such holy men and holy women, Ethiopia has been saved from various enemies in its long history, and I hope she will come out of her present turmoil and move forward under the anchorage of her Great King, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Thank you for the information and for your great advice, and I would say amen to your opening remarks: “Let anyone who does not share your concern shall be cursed the old testament curse,” and that Old Testament curse is in Deuteronomy 27:15-26. I always read Psalm 140 when I feel threatened by some violent people.
I never heard of—hate, insult, degrading, hostility and venom ever brought solution for any kind of conflict. Let us not forget, the late Reverend Martin Luther King’s peaceful struggle that brought rights for all minorities in the United States. Yes, EOC should always be astute and watchful to defend their believes and traditions at all times, at the same time, the church main purpose is to preach the teachings of Christ of love, kindness and tolerance and not to live in fear and hate because of past history of what happened to Ethiopian Orthodox believers by Gragen Mohammed hundreds of years ago. PEACE!