By Elias Kifle
Hundreds of Ethiopians and Ethiopian-Americans today gathered at the Saudi Arabia embassy in Washington DC to ask the Saudi king to release the 35 Ethiopian Christians who are languishing in jail for praying in their homes. Others who could not come to the demonstration have flooded the Saudi embassy phones through out the day. It is encouraging to see our Muslim brothers and sisters, who came in large numbers, standing with us to make their voice heard on behalf of the victims.
However, I’m terribly disappointed at the conspicuous absence of our “religious leaders” from the demonstration. There are over 20 Ethiopian Churches and Mosques in the Washington DC area and none of their leaders came.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the International Christian Concern (ICC) for sending their representative to the demonstration.
The Saudi officials at the embassy arrogantly refused to receive our petition letter.
We must continue to raise our voice until all the jailed Ethiopians are released.
