Ethiopia: A model of religious tolerance

We Ethiopians make use of various tourist attractions we are proud of, such as the historic places of Gondar, Lalibela and Axum. Different animals that are endemic to Ethiopia also promote our country in the world. We make posters and movies about them; we organize various events to display and talk about. Indeed, we deserve to be proud of these heritages and, in fact, we need to do more to promote them.

Apart from these, we also proclaim, citing the Adwa victory and the Maichew war, the fact that we have never been subjected to colonial rule. We are, and indeed should be, proud of this fact. Granted that we would be criticized if we just glorify our past, it's something we should be proud of.

But there is one big truth we do not speak of aside from all these. And this is our tradition of national harmony in a spirit of mutual tolerance, a value which is sadly absent in some parts of the world and for which Ethiopia can serve as a model.

We have said a lot about Ethiopia being a place where a diversity of nations and nationalities live together in harmony. Ethiopia is one of the few countries where Christians and Muslims live together peacefully with mutual respect and a sense of togetherness.

We are not just repeating an oft-quoted adage when we say that followers of different faiths live in harmony and a sense of togetherness in Ethiopia. Presently, we are witnessing numerous religious and associated conflicts. The problems in Israel, Lebanon, India, parts of Europe and Asia as well as in Africa, particularly in Sudan, are cases in point. These problems are not simple in nature and have been causes for the loss of several lives, and Ethiopia is a country where religious differences have only failed to lead to conflicts and bloodshed. As such it epitomizes the possibility of followers of different religions living together in mutual tolerance side by side. Ethiopians have intermarried; they work and live together without being beset by any problems having religious undertones. They solve their problems together. They are a people who give precedence to their peaceful co-existence as human beings and as Ethiopians; they don't harp on their religious differences.

This, of course, does not mean that all religions enjoyed equality throughout Ethiopia's history. There were times when one religion was treated favorably over the others. This, however, has never prevented followers of the different religions from forging mutual love and trust as well as jointly making sacrifices for their country.

It is this quality that enables it to serve as a model of which it should be proud and which we should share with the rest of the world. Religions differences should not be regarded as causes and evidence for a superior-inferior relationships.

Sadly, religious differences are causing havoc around the world these days. However, it is not religions that are the root causes. Rather, it is politics and politicians. The islamists who are in control of Mogadishu have openly declared that Ethiopia is their enemy. They seem to forget that there are millions of Ethiopians with whom they share a similar culture and religion. They remember them when they think about boundaries and land, unmindful of the fact that religious differences have not caused them any problem in terms of their being Ethiopians. That is why we say the problem is attributable to political views and lust for power, not to religion.

Ethiopia is a country which is a showcase of how to live together in mutual harmony and peace. The people of Ethiopia face a multitude of problems in terms of economic development as well as in the areas of science and technology. They are beginners in the principle and practice of democracy. In this respect, they still have a lot to do, and a lot to learn from others. This, however, does not mean that they also have to be lectured on history and religion.

Christianity took root in Ethiopia well before it did in Europe. The same thing is true with Islam where it was accepted in Ethiopia before it was the case in many parts of the Middle East. One of the sermons that was being preached in Mogadishu went: "Allah has commanded us to attack Ethiopia." The sermonizers seem to forget the teaching of the Qoran which says, "Don't touch Ethiopia." This is another instance which proves the point that it is the individual, and not religion, that is the source of the problem.

Generally speaking, there are several elements which are trying to export to Ethiopia religious conflicts that are taking place in other countries. These are people who categorize Ethiopia as a Christian state while it is home both to Islam and Christianity. The Ethiopian people should not give in to and be taken in by such divisive tactics. Ethiopia is a country where all religions are equally protected. It can show others how to live together in peace; it does not long to learn how not to live in harmony. The world should appreciate this quality of Ethiopia for it is a practical model which can be emulated.

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