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| Pray for Ethiopian believers who are experiencing an increase in persecution. |
Here is a brief summary:
When the Ethiopian Government federalised the state in 1996, it devolved power to nine autonomous, ethnic regions. Rather than appeasing and pacifying Ethiopia's diverse peoples, this ethnic federalism only undermined nationhood while magnifying ethnicity and differences. Divisive forces are now stronger than ever.
Ethiopia's traditional Sufi Muslims are being radicalised by Saudi (Wahhabi) entities, inflaming religious tensions. Protestant believer Tamirat Woldegorgis (30s) is in an Islamic prison, having been falsely accused of defacing a Qur’an. Also, Christians in the southern town of Besheno are being told they must convert to Islam, leave or die. Persecution and application of Shariah law are increasing.
Yet, the central Government appears loath to intervene lest self- determination, “harmony” and “national unity” be undermined.
Please pray specifically that God will:
- Protect Tamirat Woldegorgis and deliver him safely back to his family; may the family all know the sustaining presence of the Lord, their provider.
- Protect the Christians living in restive Oromia and Islamic Somali, particularly the persecuted and threatened Christians in Besheno.
- Grant Christian leaders great wisdom to know how to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16 NKJV).
- Give the Federal Government much wisdom, strength and courage to tackle the issue of constitutional rights and the supremacy of the Federal Constitution over regional Islamic courts.
Just to point out Ms. Kendal's factual errors.
ReplyDelete1. Sunnis NOT Sufis
2. Amhara/Tigray population size 34% of total [not 45%]
3. Oromo [about 40%] wanting to secede is not because of Tigrayan domination; it was there from earlier years.
4. Ethnic federalism has not had the opposite effect to that in Yugoslavia. "Federalism" is just a ploy; power is still in the hands of the Tigray group. All you had to do is to check who the appointees are in each region.
5. Tigrayan-dominated and Amhara-dominated govs are very disimilar. All you had to do was to check the top 100 persons in positions of power in both the civilian and military leadership.
6. It never occurred to Ms. Kendal that the current gov would use religious issues for political ends. You talk as though the gov was trying to be fair, etc. All you had to do was to check local and int'l Human Rights reports.
7. I understand your concerns; for they are also our concern. I fear, however, your fear of a "fundamentalist, intolerant, repressive" Islam
has sidetracked you into making rushed statements. I hope you will be careful in the gathering of your data next time around. God bless.
T.Mike