#Ethiopia Emulating Middle East?!

I don't believe Ethiopia learns anything good from the Middle East on religious tolerance. We have a lot to share to them instead of taking lessons from them.

Being bank rolled and driven by countries and people from the Middle East is shame. Let them settle their issues. They don't even properly tolerate each other and properly respect the rights of women.

The only lesson we may learn from the Middle East is the religions, as they were the source.

We have another lesson to learn from them too. To keep religion out of politics, otherwise terror and chaos will rein in our country like it is with them if we mix religion with politics.

As an Ethiopian any individual can have a political issue, he could be Muslim, he could be orthodox, protestant or any. His political issues should be run in political sphere by being involved in political parties.

His religious affair should be handled in the religious place legally and constitutionally. No street issue happens there.

If it is a question of leadership, there is the same thing going on in Ethiopian Orthodox Church for decades. Despite big differences no street protests have happened.

Is it because some orthodox followers don't sense political involvement in it? Is it because government has not been there to settle the differences? Is it because every side was satisfied with the solutions suggested by the government? No.

But they respect the rule of law. They know this issue can't be a cause for political agenda. They keep their religious issues within the boundaries of the church.

Were all orthodox followers convinced by the recent election of Pope there? No. How do they accept it then? Because they respect what happens after struggling to make things right.

Why is this Wahabi/Salafist issue persisting? Is it for the sake of the Muslims in Ethiopia? No. It is the money behind it that keeps it going; partly patience of the government that hasn't been so far sternly dealing with the issue could be another reason.

When you have political issue join a political party; when you are a devotee religious live it, preach it to help people behave well and do it in the domains of your religion.

Ethiopia is a colorful country in religious tolerance; and these chaotic radicals have no lesson to teach this country. Rather they have to cool down and learn from its rich culture how Ethiopia nurtures tolerance despite periodic difficulties that it has gone through.

We haven't forgotten what happened in Jimma. People were slaughtered for their faith. Yet we know how to forgive and let it go like it didn't happen. We moved on. But the radicals feel like it is their right to do so.

Be composed, be cool and put off your fake religious ID and get yourself at the right yard with the right behavior. Nation comes first, peace follows it; we practice our religion when we get these two things together.