ARTICLES





Behind the European Parliament Report

                                                                                                 Kidus Dawit 09/05/13

Recently the European Union Parliament has put out a report which further backs-up the claims made by the FDRE government that the ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ movement under the payroll of foreign forces is disrupting the majority Muslims’ Right to worship. The report stated the same facts the Ethiopian government’s was making, which goes like that the leaders behind the wahabbi sect are not religious personalities, but in fact politicians and merchant. It also parted information that justified the actions taken by the FDRE government to combat (punish) these ‘political merchants’.

This report commissioned by the Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union, further stated that the oil–rich Saudi Arabia and its neighbors have been occupied with sponsoring ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ Militants group across the globe. With it the report has also publicized on how this group “support and supply arms to rebel groups around the world”. In relation to this the report warns of a threat posed by ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ organizations by claiming, “No nation in the Muslim world is safe from their operations … as they always aim to terrorize their opponents and arouse the admiration of their supporters”. Also according to the Parliament’s report, the oil rich Saudi and the small yet incredibly rich Qatar are supporting the Militants through Arab charities.

Thus in order to promote ‘Wahabbi’ it’s estimated that Saudi alone has pumped up to 10 billion dollars, while the new comer Qatar have supported religious Militants from Libya up to Syria. So, the report states the connection that runs from Arab charities up to extremist Islamic movement is a source of grave threat for people and government across the globe. Considering the European report’s official claim that the ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ organizations are hotbed for international terrorism, it goes out to show how these groups are fast becoming a major obstacle to peace in this day of globalization.

I don’t think anyone who sees this revealing report would not be interested as a citizen in writing his share of views, since the report puts light on the danger the country is facing from terrorism and fundamentalism. Thus, I was inspired to write this article to show the ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ group’s terror threat and acts and the country’s reality on the ground.

The European report has confirmed that the peace-shackler ‘Wahabbi’ movement has no connection to religion but terrorism. Its objective is to spread a few disciples’ religion at the expense of the majority followers, and further down the line establish an Islamic government by imposing their dogma on others undemocratically.

Although the current state of Ethiopia has no opening or opportunity for an ideology that seek to undermine people’s right through terror acts, it’s not surprising that the threat of this un democratic conspiracy may loom on the country; as Ethiopia can’t exist as an island in this day and age of globalization.

It’s helpful here to ask what will be the reach of the looming terrorism threat; as depicted in the report, with regards to our country’s realities in the ground. Because the answer to this question will help shade light on the danger the ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ terror plan poses on Ethiopia. As any readers of this article knows, it is the ordinary civilians who will be stricken by the plight of the terror violence; peaceful civilians who are struggling to drag themselves out of the shackles of poverty in their day to day lives.

Out of the many heinous terror acts carried out in Ethiopia, it’s sufficient to mention the one time terror act carried out by OLF (or former members of OLF) comprised Muslim extremists group under the name “Khawarja by preaching religious intolerance in its local area.

At the time following the group’s activities on ethnicity was declined by the majority of the public, it changed its menacing gear towards religion and was responsible for the deaths of many lives and destruction of many materials in the western part of the country as a consequence of its actions. Although the episode was short lived as a result of the success the public had in stopping the heinous acts, it should be noted that this kind of terror acts carried out in the name of religion hurts mainly the unwary society.

The other aspect of this looming terrorism threat in Ethiopia has to do with the derailment of the promising and burgeoning economic development the country is currently enjoying. It is obvious that the religious Militants’ objective of establishing an Islamic government will inversely ruin the country’s peace and stability. It is easy to understand that its naďve to contemplate developmental and democratic thoughts without peace. The FDRE government has come up with sensible policies and strategies that ignited the country’s thriving development, which is now regarded as an example to the rest of the world; However I think lack of long lasting peace may be a hindrance to it. And this will have an adverse consequence on our country’s well being.

In light with this, the European Parliament’s report has enabled us and others to be aware of the situation especially with regards to (protecting) our national security and (the country’s well being). Here it vital to appreciate one fact; which is any government all over the world has the duty and responsibility to protect its national security. For instance United States and its western allies have crossed their own borders in to Afghanistan and stationed their forces for many years in order to curtail the threat of terrorism imposed by Al-Qaeda, on top of their concerted efforts waged in their own respective homelands. This goes out to show the depths a responsible government goes to protect its own national security. Therefore, the Ethiopian government; the architect of the country’s fast growing developmental economy by declaring poverty as its number one enemy, is also subject to this globally accepted political reality. Generally speaking it has the duty and responsibility to protect its country’s national security.

In this day and age where countries cross their own borders to protect their national security, our government has curtailed the terror threat posed by ‘Wahabbi’ movement through taking the appropriate legal action and notifying the public on the situation.

However, those short-sighted and opportunist opposition parties have been shamelessly blabbering that the government is interfering in religion without understanding the ABC’s of the issue, just for the sake of political expediency. How on earth they connected the governments’ appropriate action to curtail the grave danger posed on the National security of the country to violation of the constitution, only they know. All in all since this terrorism agenda curtails our country’s transformational economic growth and pull us back from the developmental path we are heading, the government’s swift action against this dangerous peril was both critical and much appreciated. Especially considering the European Parliament’s report has clearly stated that the honcho’s behind the ‘Wahabbi’ movement in every country are terrorists.

By the way, what are these opportunistic yet feeble opposition parties are going to say about this latest revelation? Who was it that said ‘embarrasement comes later’? Most of these would –be opposition parties may be familiar with terrorism and its objectives (considering their association), but the government understands (believes) that a society which is in the midst of a turmoil ignited by religious divisions (conflict), will not be able to contemplate about development. Without the peaceful mobility of capital and labor, a country’s development cannot be realized. A foreign investor will also either fled or fend off from coming to the country, if there is no guaranteed security. In any way we see it; any Undemocratic acts done under the guise of a religion will heavily detract the country’s development and the peoples’ benefits. And I think this should be the light in which the group’s mischievous antics must be seen. Not only this, the sinister agenda of these ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ terrorist; whose wicked ways of operating was depicted in detail by the European report, can be seen from the obstacles and shackles it lays on the growing path of human and democratic rights order of the country.

According to the words of those who were captured red-handed in terrorist activities, their objective (if successful) was to wage ‘jihad’ on Ethiopian people and government by training and arming Jihadi soldiers; in addition to establishing an Islamic government. This ideology harbors inhumane and Undemocratic thinking of imposing one’s own religion (creed) on to others forcefully. If those captured and alleged terrorist would have their way, it’s obvious that expressing views freely, logical debating and contest will be lost.

Therefore our people would be subjected to treatments based on the say of the few powerful. These fanatics will inevitably bully good governance. Since their objective is to coerce power from the hands of the people through a forceful thinking called ‘Jihad’, the grandeur level of destruction and deaths their action inflicts on the public and the country is unquestionable.  Mentioning the case of our neighbor Somalia out of many similar situations is enough to depict the horror of this kind of anti – public agenda or action levies on the people and country. We have seen through the media our Somali brothers went as far as saying that they haven’t been living to express their times under the inhumane and Undemocratic Al-Shabaab before freeing themselves from its claws. Evidently at the time of Al-Shabaab’s control of certain territories in the country (gained through a ‘jihad’ war), human and democratic rights were continually desecrated. It harassed the people by asking them questions like why do you watch films? Why do you see TV with music on it? Etc… It had stoned, beaten and killed by convicting them through its ‘Shurra’ council. This is why we constantly hear the Somalis, now under the administration of the democratically elected Somalia federal government, publicly condemning the hell like times they endured under the control of Al –Shabaab. If the ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ Militants in our country can have their way, this Petro dollar invested political ideology is what they are trying to impose here ala Al –shabaab. According to these terrorists own words, they were visioning of waging ‘Jihad’ in kemise as if it was Afghanistan, by preparing hate inciting articles and recruiting fellow extremists. In light with these revelations it’s obvious that these people envision themselves in the likes of ‘Boko haram’ and ‘Ansar dine’; especially considering these global terror groups have links to each other.

On the recently shown media segment under the title “Jihadawi Harakat’; where the terrorists under suspicion admitted of planning to establish an Islamic government, their linkages to foreign forces was well documented.

Here it’s also worth mentioning the pied piper of the Muslim Brotherhood Party’s ideology, Sheikh Shakir Al-sayyid insidious remarks made from Washington DC. At this political rally organized by extremist’s Diasporas, the Sheikh incited a saying “Force is our tool to power. You have to entice Ethiopian Muslims all over the world to rise up against the Ethiopian government. Since the incumbent government is a Christian one, you all have to work together to overthrow it from power’. This remark can’t only be understood as a call for all Ethiopian rioters to unite; it also has the connotation (message) that goes like, “we will help you by interfering in your internal matter”. This person after many years of secretly organizing and counseling Ethiopian extremists lost his patience, realizing Ethiopia’s current situation has no room or opportunity for religious fanatics. This forced him to come out to open in venting out his frustration and his intention of interfering shamelessly. This goes out to justify the actions taken by our government and the European Parliament’s depiction of the existence of a global terrorist linkage. Also their harbored illogical ambition of imposing owns creed on others forcefully and undemocratically.

But this man should understand that there’s no way he can play ‘war drums’ on Ethiopia, while sitting in America. The rightful owner of the power to appoint or dismiss a government in our country is only the Ethiopia’s nation, nationalities and peoples, not some politicians and their minions who operate in the name of a religion. Other than this the Sheikh and his cronies should know any act would be a clash with the rightful and constitutional source of power, the people of Ethiopia. As its known our country’s thriving development and democratic order is established in coherence to the peoples’ choice (vote). With regards to our land’s constitution, it is a document ratified by the will and conviction of Ethiopia nation, nationalities’ and peoples’; and everyone will stand in defense on the behalf of the document.

Thus, it would be behoove of the pied piper of the remark to know that messing with the constitution means a straight dispute with the owners of the document; again the Ethiopian people. Generally, it’s better to get in gripes with the fact that there is no opening (stratum) that can horde terrorists organized under the guise of a religion.

Whatever anyone may say, since we are people living under a democratic order, we must stand vigilant to any forceful imposition of any creed on us. As religion is a personal preference, the choice should be left solely to the person. Realizing that under a democratic order the choice of religion is immune to the government or any other foreign forces, it would be best for both the terrorists and the masters of this terror web to comprehend our country’s realities have no avenues or opportunities for it.

It’s evident that the terrorists or their master’s title effort doesn’t reflect our country’s current realities; in fact it’s waged as part of their desire to ink our image. It’s within the public and media domain that our country’s is under miraculous developmental transformation. And it’s attested by World Bank (WB) and the likes that this transformation is currently improving the lives of the 85% of the population which are farmers and pastoralists.

This implicates that the democratic and developmental government is changing the country’s long associated famine and foreign aid image for the better. Even those unconstructive and gloomy opposition parties are forced to admit to the significant change our country’s going through. But this doesn’t mean that there are forces who want our globally confirmed achievements to be appreciated; and one of those forces is the Eritrean government who loathes every good thing Ethiopia achieves.

After swallowing the bitter taste of defeat in the battle field , the government of the president–for–life Ato Isaias Afwerki has admitted that it has indeed put its hand on our country’s religious matter (as a lackey) in line with its destruction and havoc strategy. In his own words, “For seven years we have used Al–Shabaab. Ethiopia’s recent problem is tied to the ‘Al–Shabaab’ we created in their country. The Islamic movements we currently see in Ethiopian mosques are the direct results of our efforts.”

Knowingly or unknowingly the Asmara’s havoc squad has itself admitted that it’s leading the political activities made in the name of a religion and the fact that it supports and backs Al-Shabaab. The Asmara regime has strived to carry out its mission given to it by some foreign forces– although our country’s realities on the ground hindered its dream. As it’s evident that the constitution guarantees every religion’s equality, it’s easier for different sets of religions to co-exist with tolerance and respect.

However using religion lackeys with their own terror agenda like the Eritrean government and Al-Shabaab would like to stir riot by infiltrating extremists into Ethiopia; but all with no avail. It’s important to know shabiya-led mischievous acts have been curtailed through the cooperation of security forces and the public, unlike its propagation. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, it wouldn’t make a difference. Although the European Parliament’s report stated the ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ movement is a hot bed for terrorists, this is what the country’s realities are like.

Generally speaking the information parted by European report justified the FDRE government every move made with regards to ‘Wahabbi/Salafi’ movement; like protecting the country’s constitution and national security, taking the appropriate and legal action against political activities made in the name of a religion and objectively publicizing the looming terrorism threat and their linkages to the public. In addition to this, the government made public the intentions of some of the ‘Wahabbian’ pied pipers which is under the influence of foreign petro dollars, was to wreck havoc and destruction in the country; including the fact that Wahabbism is not only a threat to us, but also to the world’s peace. On top of it all it parted necessary information about the real motive of the movement’s culprits, while warning the public simultaneously to defend its peace.  

 



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