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Addis Ababa Police temporarily detained the head of Imams

Sheikh Mohammed Toyib, Head of Addis Ababa Imams' Association and Imam of Lafto Bilal Mosque


ADDIS ABABA, DECEMBER 21, 2021 – Addis Ababa Police temporarily detained Sheikh Mohammed Toyib, the head of Addis Ababa Imams Association and the Imam of the Lafto Bilal Mosque, today, according to a statement from Addis Ababa Imams Association.

Sheikh Mohammed Toyib was arrested after he submitted a letter yesterday to the Ministry of Peace, Federal Police including the Addis Ababa Police cautioning them about threats from Salafiya-Wahabi extremists who have been causing security problems in Mosques in Addis Ababa. 

"The Salafiya group, within Addis Ababa Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, are unilaterally making decisions and making Mosques in the city centers of commotion", read the letter submitted to government security institutions yesterday by the Addis Ababa Imams' Association.

“This group is attempting to turn Mosques in our city into a hotbed of violence. Fighting, arrests, and harassment have been reported in various mosques for a while now”, read the statement from the Imams’ Association.

But instead of taking heed to the counsel of the Sheikh, Nifas Silk Lafto Police summoned the head of the Imams, Sheikh Mohammed Toyib, and arrested him today at 11am in the morning when he arrived at the station. But he was released on bail late this afternoon.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time the Addis Ababa Police temporarily detained one of the most respected and long serving Imams of Ethiopia.

On December 01, 2021, Haji Taha Mohammed Harun was detained but was also released on bail. He was accused of ‘creating chaos’ in a speech he made some time ago. Haji Taha is the longest serving Imam of the largest Mosque, Anwar Mosque, and he has been leading Eid prayers in Addis Ababa for decades.

Haji Taha Mohammed Harun, Imam of the Anwar Mosque, Addis Ababa

Both Sheikh Mohammed Toyib and Haji Taha Mohammed are strong critiques of Salafiya-Wahabi groups who have been attempting to take over the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council but only succeeded in controlling Addis Ababa Islamic Affairs Supreme Council and the Oromia Islamic Affairs Supreme Council.

It is likely that police are detaining the Muslim religious leaders when they are accused by Salafiya-Wahabi groups who are believed to be using this as a harassment strategy on those who object their methods. 

“It has become clear that it is our own Muslim brothers who are taking us to the police”, said the Imams Association in early December responding to the arrest of Haji Taha.

The President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Mufti Haji Omer Idris, also a target of Salafiya critiques, warned the government not to underestimate attempts by some to replace Imams and takeover Mosques managed by Sufis. He also called on all Ethiopian Muslims to denounce such an embarrassing act.

Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 21, 2021 at 10:34 PM

    the incident has angered the muslim community,these people are like eyeball to the Muslim community.their humiliation and misgrase lead us to an unnessary path.its best to address the issue as soon as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 21, 2021 at 11:14 PM

    You got it thank you

    ReplyDelete
  3. yesDecember 22, 2021 at 4:27 AM

    The government is underestimating the atrocity that has been perpituated by the Selefi-wehabis

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 23, 2021 at 6:15 PM

    This is very biased and one side coverage of what is unfolding.And you are not helping by throwing all those name calling & labeling.If this honest mistake you should work on your source and verify before you publish.

    ReplyDelete

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