The Ethiopian Orthodox Church says allowing Muslims to hold Iftar in Revolution Square could threaten the harmonious co-existence b/n Muslims & Christians in Ethiopia. Says could lead to violence.
The sense of entitlement reflected here is deeply disturbing but not surprising.
The sense of entitlement reflected here is deeply disturbing but not surprising.
Revolution square, also called Meskel square, is Addis Ababa's main public plaza. Over the years, it hosted all kinds of political, cultural, and religious events. So why is the Church suddenly worried about Muslims holding Iftar there?
The letter speaks of tolerance and mutual respect between the two faiths but this letter lays bare who is expected to tolerate & respect. Ethiopia is not and has never been a country of religious co-existence. Muslims accepted & tolerated a marginal and secondary status.
Muslims were allowed to exist insofar as they do not push the limit, accept their subordinate status. Every time they sought equality, they were called names. And that is what this letter is about. Muslims wanting to hold Iftar in the city's main plaza is seen as a radical act.
And that is the limit of Ethiopia's myth of religious tolerance and co-existence.
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