31/03/2025
Dr Mukerrem's new journal article about Islam and Muslims in Ethiopia: 👉"Beyond Intercepting Wahhabism, Upgrading “Mainstream” Islam, and Transplanting al-Ahbash in Ethiopia: Rethinking the Role of the Ethiopian Government and the US" (March/2025).
The article contends that it was not only the TPLF-led EPRDF regime is to blame for the securitization of Islam and Muslims, but also the US embassy in Addis (David Shinn, Donald Yamamoto, Vicki Huddleston, etc.)…played a significant role in reframing what I call Ethiopian Muslims’ general quest for “recognition, participation, and ownership” (antidotes to the Muslims in Ethiopia Complex [MIC]) in Ethiopia’s public sphere, much like any other religious community.
Excerpts from the article:
David Shin (former ambassador to Ethiopia) said: “should Muslims become a majority in the not too distant future, which is a real possibility, it will eventually change the political dynamic of Ethiopia. But we do need to be alert to the changing dynamic here” (1997).
Yamamoto (former ambassador to Ethiopia) said: The embassy made effort to “introduce” Ethiopian Muslims to the US-based Mu'tazili (a rationalist extremist in Islamic thought), an advocate of liberal Islam, professor of law and Islam, and preacher, Khaled Abou El-Fadl’s works: He wrote,
“The Public Affairs Section has been planning to translate ‘The Great Theft’ and ‘The Place of Tolerance in Islam’ for local consumption. However, after approaching several prominent academics and translators who are known to post, the job was turned down by everyone. . . .Post is still pursuing a means of translating this book, but it now appears it may have to be done outside the country . . . cultural programming can contribute significantly to the achievement of foreign policy objectives”
His conclusion:👉 These actors "were primarily interested in imposing any version of Islam or Muslim religious behavior that exhibits relatively identifiable features. This version requires maintaining a relatively low profile in Ethiopia’s public sphere, acquiescing to the needs of the state, and posing no threat to the state and its interests, both locally and internationally."
Here is the link:
ChronAfrica is an international, refereed, scientific journal publishing electronically supporting all social-science studies with respect to Africa prioritizing International Relationships, History and Literature.
