(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/1/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to take concrete actions to prevent the government of Ethiopia from demolishing that nation’s mosques.
The Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs of the Oromia Regional State said 19 mosques were illegally demolished in Shaggar City. Two people protesting the demolitions were reportedly killed, with dozens more injured by police.
SEE: Two killed, dozens injured in police crackdown against protest by Muslims in Addis Abeba; more than 100 people detained
Two killed during protest at Ethiopia’s Grand Mosque
“Ethiopia has a long tradition of protecting Muslims and it would be a shame for that noble tradition to be overshadowed by current events,” said CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell. “We urge the Biden administration to take appropriate action to prevent the demolition of Ethiopian houses of worship.”
Mitchell noted that in the early history of Islam, some of the first Muslims migrated from Arabia to what is now Ethiopia due to religious persecution in Mecca. They were granted refuge by that nation’s leader. When the ruler of Ethiopia died, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) told his companions: “A brother of yours has died; get up and offer the funeral prayer for him.” Sahih Muslim
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com, CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com