Ethiopian Muslims in the Public Space of Addis Ababa since 1991.

174 Pages·2014·3.7 MB·English

Ethiopian Muslims in the Public Space of Addis Ababa since 1991.
Stockmans Jep
Promoter: Prof. Baz Lecocq
Co-promoter: Post-graduate Karen Büscher
[email protected]
Masterproef AX00001A
Verklaring

De auteur en de promotor(en) geven de toelating deze studie als geheel voor consultatie
beschikbaar te stellen voor persoonlijk gebruik. Elk ander gebruik valt onder de beperkingen
van het auteursrecht, in het bijzonder met betrekking tot de verplichting de bron uitdrukkelijk
te vermelden bij het aanhalen van gegevens uit deze studie.
Het auteursrecht betreffende de gegevens vermeld in deze studie berust bij de promotor(en).
Het auteursrecht beperkt zich tot de wijze waarop de auteur de problematiek van het
onderwerp heeft benaderd en neergeschreven. De auteur respecteert daarbij het
oorspronkelijke auteursrecht van de individueel geciteerde studies en eventueel bijhorende
documentatie, zoals tabellen en figuren. De auteur en de promotor(en) zijn niet
verantwoordelijk voor de behandelingen en eventuele doseringen die in deze studie geciteerd
en beschreven zijn.

Table of contents

Acknowledgments 1.
Abbreviations 2.
Glossary 3.
Introduction 6.
I. In general 6.
II. Theory 8.
III. Status Quaestionis 15.
IV. Methodology 17.
Chapter One: Concise before 1991 21.
1.1 Islam in Ethiopia before 1991 21.
1.2 Addis Ababa 26.
1.3 The Derg regime 28.
1.3.1 Commencement of the Derg regime 28.
1.3.2 Decline of the Derg regime 32.
Chapter Two: Important Actors 37.
2.1 Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front 37.
2.1.1 Ethnic strategy 38.
2.1.2 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 41.
2.2 Islamic movements in Ethiopia 43.
2.2.1 Salafism 44.
2.2.2 Jamat al-Tabligh 49.
2.2.3 Intellectual Movement 53.
2.2.4 al-Ahbash 54.
2.3 Ethiopian Orthodox Church 56.
2.4 International Influences 59.
2.4.1 United States of America 59.
2.4.2 The Horn of Africa 61.
2.4.2.1 Eritrea 61.
2.4.2.2 Somalia 62.
2.4.2.3 Sudan and Djibouti 63.
2.4.3 Saudi Arabia 64.
Chapter Three: Conflict post-1991 66.
3.1 Conflict within the different Muslim communities 66.
3.1.1 Ideological differences 67.
3.1.2 Political differences 68.
3.1.3 Generational differences 70.
3.2 Conflict between Muslims and the current government 71.
3.2.1 Decisive events 72.
3.2.2 Policy of containment 75.
3.2.2.1 The al-Ahbash incident 76.
3.2.2.2 The Anwolia incident 78.
3.3 Conflict with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church 82.
3.3.1 Contest in visibility 83.
3.3.2 Polemic discourse 84.
3.4 Consequences of conflict on a social level 87.
Chapter Four: Global events and their influences 89.
4.1 War on Terror 89.
4.1.1 War on Terror in Ethiopian media 90.
4.1.2 The Ethiopian anti-terror law 93.
4.2 Ethio-Eritrean war 1998-2000 94.
4.3 Intervention in Somalia 2006-2009 96.
4.3.1 UIC 96.
4.3.2 Al-Shabab 100.
4.4 Support from the Middle East 100.
Chapter Five: Islam in the Public Space of Addis Ababa 106.
5.1 Relevance of Islam in the public space of Addis Ababa today 108.
5.2 Visibility of Islam in the public space of Addis Ababa today 111.
5.2.1 Visibility through dress code 111.
5.2.2 Visibility through performance of rituals 113.
5.2.3 Visibility through demonstrations 115.
5.2.4 Visibility through mosques and schools 116.
5.3 Mosques as a metaphor for the position of Islam in the public space of Addis
Ababa today 121.
5.3.1 Interreligious conflict versus interreligious tolerance 122.
5.3.2 Deficiency of mosques 125.
5.3.3 Local versus global funding 127.
5.3.4 Centers of education 128.
5.3.5 Spatial distribution 129.
5.4 Perception 132.
5.5 Impact of all relevant events on the position of Islam in the public space of
Addis Ababa today 133.
5.5.1 Urban space as the product of conflict 133.
5.5.2 Direct and indirect impact of events 138.
Conclusion 142.
Bibliography 145.
Appendix 153.
List of Illustrations
Figure 1-3 153.
Figure 4-6 154.
Figure 7-9 155.
Figure 10-12 156.
Figure 13-16 157.
Figure 17-19 158.
Figure 20-22 159.
Figure 23-25 160.
Figure 26-28 161.
Figure 29-31 162.
Figure 32-34 163.
Figure 35-37 164.
Figure 38-39 165.
Figure 40 166.
Figure 41 167.
Acknowledgment

Throughout the creation of this thesis many have come to my aid to make this dissertation as
successful as possible. First, I would like to thank my promoter Baz Lecocq and co-promoter
Karen Büscher for their intellectual inspiration and thought-provoking comments. Next, many
thanks goes to the researchers who have made this thesis possible. During my fieldwork in
Ethiopia, Dereje Feyissa Dori and Terje Ostebo proved irreplaceable in the way they helped
with gathering information, presenting useful insights, sharing their network, etcetera. I am
also extensively grateful and indebted to my informants on the field –who wish to stay
anonymous- who have put their time and energy in my research.
Because my thesis is in English I am also greatly indebted to those who have read, re-read and
corrected this paper, especially Kathleen Geerkens, Maarten Loeckx and Inneke
Tengrootenhuysen. Final thanks goes to all who have not contributed in the research and
writing aspect of this work, but who have supported me and stood by me in this endeavor.
Special thanks for my mother who kept encouraging me throughout the year and for putting
up with my stress.
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Abbreviations

AAPO All Amhara People’s Organisation.
AIAI al-Itihad al Islamiyya.
ANDM Amhara National Democratic Movement.
AUUF Addis Ababa Ulama Unity Forum.
ELF Eritrean Liberation Front.
EPLF Eritrean People’s Liberation Front.
EPRDF Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front.
EPRP Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party.
EOC Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
IIRO International Islamic Relief Organisation.
IOLF Islamic Oromo Liberation Front.
NGO Non- Governmental Organisation.
OLF Oromo Liberation Front.
ONLF Ogaden National Liberation Front.
OPDO Oromo People’s Democratic Organisation.
SEPDF Southern Ethiopia People’s Democratic Front.
TPLF Tigrean People’s Liberation Front.
TFG Transitional Federal Government.
UIC United Islamic Front.
USA United States of America.

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Glossary

Abyot Seded Meaning: Revolutionary flame. Only military party during Derg
regime.
Âh’lel Kheyr Refers to the funding of mosques and other Islamic institutions. In
general three forms of funding can be distinguished.
Al-salaf al salih Salafism is derived from this word. It means the pious forefathers,
which refers to the first three generations of Muslims.
Al-Ahbash Movement in Libanon which has its roots in Ethiopia, More specifically
in Harrar.
Amir To refer to members of the intellectual movement in Addis Ababa.
Usually meaning someone of royal descent but in this case used as a
form of respect.
Birr Currency of Ethiopia.
Da’wa “The Mission” referring to spreading the word of Islam and attracting
new constituents.
Derg Refers to the military communist regime which controlled Ethiopia
between 1974 and 1991. Derg means: Committee.
Ferenji A common word used for outsiders, which mainly refers to the inability
of non-Ethiopians to understand their situation.
Gasht A practice which encourages Tablighi to invite people into their mosque
in an effort to introduce them to Jamat al-Tabligh.
Hadith The tradition or saying of the prophet Muhammed.
Hajj One of the five pillars of Islam. Obligated pilgrimage to Mecca.
Hijab Headscarf for women, which covers the head except for the face.
Hijra Forced migration of the first Muslims from Mecca to Medina.
Imam A religious leader within the Islamic religion who manages a mosque
and performs the prayer.
Isbal Pants pulled up so the ankles are visible. Mainly done by Salafi men.
Jihad Religious war against any enemy of Islam and its believers.
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