YES TO PEACEFUL PROTEST BUT NO TO BREAKING THE LAW.   By Ezana sehay   Democracy is not static. It evolves. So does the way it deals with social and political issues. For example, expectations today, about haw governments deal with extra-legal protests, are an evolution from and a reflection on those earlier incidents, as well as other times of upheavals.   So: with each successive injury to the shared expectations of peace, order, and good government, comes a corresponding rise in public resentment of not only those identified perpetuators, but also a loss of faith in the state, as well as growing boldness among the malcontents that see in law-breaking a kind of force multiplier, which no amount of law full demonstration can ever match.   Here is where we are: the so called “Muslim protest” in Ethiopia has been going on for more than two years now. Initially, some of us saw the iconographic protest as part of a legitimate demand and stood with it. But it didn’t take long for the protest leadership to reveal its true colors – a force with a hidden agenda and willing to push its followers go astray.   Ranting about the “lack of religious freedom” or “government interference in religious affairs”, the protest leaders keep dictating their followers to intimidate fellow Muslims, provoke the government, and desecrate our revered national symbols.   Ethiopia is a young, but flourishing democracy with responsible rule of law and constitutionally guaranteed religious and minority rights. The government is a secular democratic which recognizes and respects all and every religion. That is why no Ethiopian, especially the Muslim community is buying the protester’s narrative of events. It is becoming apparent the protest is an alien plot whose strategic objective is to defame the country’s image.   Despite the protest’s veiled threat to national interest; the government was right when it engaged in an apparent good-faith and tried hard to facilitate negotiation among the Muslim community leaders to address the relevant issues.   Unfortunately, the extremists (protesters) response to the calls for co-operation and dialogue has so far been a fixation on escalation with the intent of planting the demons of an extremist agenda. They have declined all calls for peaceful settlement of the “problems”; instead keep perpetuating violence and intimidation against the moderate religious and community leaders.   Now, how does black-mail and intimidation constitute a negotiation? And how, if one side has a gun to the other’s head, can the outcome be anything but catastrophic?  Such attitude is what has strengthened the Muslim community’s resolve against those renegades who are trying contaminate the country’s unique and proud characteristics – the land of (inter and intra) religions harmony.   Feeling the wrath of public rejection and getting desperate, the extremists have declared war on moderation and civility – murdering religious fathers is the last straw. Such actions are not only a crime against the Muslim community, but also on the very principle that is giving them refuge – democracy itself.   The government’s tolerance is a manifestation of the good nature of its leadership and its commitment to democracy – freedom of speech and peaceful protest – so long as there is no resort to violence.   But in light of the new reality: the threat to national security and especially to the Muslim community the government needs to strike a balance. It is time to show its solidarity with the overwhelming majority of the Muslims who are expressing rage at the crimes of the extremists and disappointment at the government’s excessive tolerance.   The general Muslim community has distanced themselves from the protest. Sad to say, that is not enough. The image of Islam will keep suffering if the fanatics veer further in to lawlessness.   It is now up to everyone else, esp. the government to ensure this doesn’t occur. Because the cumulative social and political cast is high. If the state can’t be trusted to enforce the criminal code, what is to prevent any political group – from taking a leaf from the same book? And why should ordinary law-abiding citizen obey the law, as a matter of principle, if the highest authority in the land fails to respect those principles and apply them in an impartial way.   The government may believe that it is doing itself, the protesters, and society at large a favor by sitting on its hands. Wrong, on all counts. If the lawless and violent protest continues, such as it is, will further be discredited causing a trickle effect – tarnishing the good name of Islam. And sooner or later, the government will find itself boxed in by an angry citizen.   Eid Mubarak!