Thread by @ednaalemayehu

#GonderMosque update:
1. Today we spent the morning at the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council. We met with several members including Sheik Omar Emam Omar (VP) who thanked us for our efforts & gave us his blessings. We have raised over 110,000 birr and will be transferring

2. it on Monday. Sheik Omar told us we all have to protect what makes Ethiopia special which is our religious history of living together. He told us, "what you're doing is teaching about & protecting Ethiopiawinet & may Allah follow you in all your endeavors. It's not the money

3. that's the most important part but the thought & the symbolism"
The people we met to today were representing different regions Wollo, Addis, Somali, Gurage etc. & emphasized that our religious harmony is የኢትዮጲያ ዋና እሴት & we need to all stand together to maintain it.

4. One of their main concerns is that there are bodies that r trying to exacerbate the situation to cause chaos & create religious conflicts.
We suggested to them that we need to focus more on prevention thru platforms of dialogue & not just on crisis mgment. They fully agreed.

5. They gave us a tour of the new building to accommodate Hajj travelers, they blessed us. I didn't think it was possible but I walked out an even prouder #Ethiopian. There wasn't 1 individual in there that didn't mention how special this country was for both faiths.

6. They were kind enough to write us a letter of support for the bank and for those who contributed to reassure that the account it will be transferred to is approved by them.
I invite @Hamoudu to add his thoughts or add anything I failed to mention.
A Saturday well spent 😊