| Message from Religious Leaders. |
| Friday, 14 May 2010 00:00 |
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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLIINESS ABUNA PAULOS ON THE UPCOMIING NATIONAL ELECTIONS The Ethiopian orthodox Tewahedo Church, as the mother of peace, conveys and promotes this message of peace and security for all peoples. Our faith in Jesus Christ, the principal of peace discourages hatred and intolerance. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church ardently prays that the upcoming 2010, 4th National Election would be conducted in a just and fair manner. The Church communicates its message to contestants: the word of our lord; ’’Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the lord for it, because if prospers, you too will prosper’’ (Jeremiah 29 :) All good wishes and hopes for the growth of our society; its development and prosperity; for equality and justice for our citizens and better livelihood can only be a reality when and only when peace, understanding, love, and tolerance prevail among contestant groups. All contestant political parties are thus expected to build up a culture of respect, dialogue, and peaceful deliberations in a bid to bring about optimal results which serve the interests of our peoples. As all sides contest for the good of the public and not for personal gains, it is vital to engage mature debates for the wellbeing of people and the sake of peace and security of the country. If each and every process is carried out peacefully and with a sense of tolerance, the final outcome would only benefit the Publics. Peace is a requirement to contest and win, to run and lead. As all t he contestant of the upcoming 4th national election are brothers, they should contestants their deliberations in an atmosphere of brotherhood and join hands for the betterment of the country. The efforts which contestant political Parties are exerting to resolve Problems in roundtable discussions whenever they occur in the preparation for the upcoming national election should be encouraged as it benefits the growth of our society in Peace and will significantly enhance its maturity. Our country, Ethiopia is also a symbol of freedom in Africa. It should also be the symbol and model of sustainable peace and security in the continent and this should be witnessed in the upcoming 2010 national election of Ethiopia. As our city Addis Ababa is the seat of the African Union (and a hub for many multilateral international Organizations) all contestant political Parties need to pursue the path of peace to achieve their desired outcomes. The debates and discussions underway among the contestant political parties should be constructive, respectful and free of unethical conduct. They are expected to be constructive for the nation’s political atmosphere. This in turn helps the public to understand the political agendas and manifestoes of the contestant political parties and the debates. They should also be carried out in a sense of mutual understanding and within a culture of tolerance. If they are unwilling to listen to one another, and if they fail to realize that differences could always exist, it is unlikely to reach at an understanding. Therefore, a debate and dialogue, based on peace, love, respect, patience, tolerance, free of emotions and temper, and a sense of brotherhood and common respect would significantly contribute to the success of the upcoming election and satisfy the general public., Thus, you the wise people of Ethiopia! Shouldering the fear of God, unified in peace and love, you all are expected to ensure a country of justice, equality and rights of citizens and actively contribute to the ongoing nation-building endeavors. Using this great opportunity you are the decision maker in the upcoming national election. You are the servant and the service seeker. Hence, you are expected to discharge your duties and responsibilities based on truth. Obviously, in all contests, there will those who will win the hearts and minds of our people and those who will have to work harder to do so. Hence, it is ethical and mandatory for both to welcome the final outcome with grace; respect their promises to the public properly and serve more diligently with a greater sense o responsibility. There is Ethiopian saying that the end of all mountains is at the top. Whatsoever different political ideology and doctrine they follow, all contestant political parties operating in Ethiopia have expressed their vision and mission to build a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia and to serve the public responsibly and honestly. This blessed vision can only be realized in the presence of peace and to ensure this, all contestants should respect the public and prioritize the importance of peace for this country. Therefore, we pray so that the upcoming national election would be peaceful and fair and we strongly urge all to abide by the works of God in this regard. God in this regard. God bless Ethiopia and its people, God Bless you all Amen!
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS ABUNAPAUCOS ON THE UPCOMING NATIONAL ELECTIONS ‘’ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you in to exile’’ (Jeremiah 29:7) In the name of the father, the son, the Holy spirit, one God, Amen!
BY you holy and Blessed Name May you hear our prayer. Today, Always, and forever Amen! Abba Paulos I(PhD) Patriarch of Ethiopia, Archbishop of Axum Etchegue of the sea of st. Tekle Haimant In the Name of Allah the most precious the most merciful Even though every person can talk about Islam, very few can clearly know its meaning. Islam means peace. Islam means religion and it is method of living by creating peace. Based on our religion’s basic message, we the Ethiopia Muslims are concerned about our country’s peace. Peace is part of life source and our religion teaches us that peace should be strongly seemed in each of our life profile and activities. We encourage peaceful conditions. We need peace that can endow us with freedom, justice likewise spiritual, economic, Political and social stability for humans. We play our part so that such peace shall sustainable in our country’s feature. It was 1400 years ago that the great prophet Mohammed (P.B.O.) had testified our country Ethiopia’s peace exemplary in the world by saying ‘’There is good king in Abyssinia. Nobody shall be mistreated at his presence. Until Allah may free you from your current ordeal, it is good if ypu can go and stay there’’ This testimony of his word clarifies that Ethiopia is leaders, like king Ashemate Nejashi raise justice and equality emblem and he cane leaders’ example during the 21st century and it is all the Ethiopia Muslims’ wish that Ethiopia be always known by its leaders’ exemplary. Hence the its objective of the national election to be carried out in May is to strengthen justice, freedom and equality, free our country from backwardness and poverty, like wise it is time to elect a party that will take its people to progress and prosperity. Therefore, I, as a religion leader, pass my message to all competing parties and the Ethiopian people, as long as the election to be carry out is to create dependable peace to build better country, the election must not be that may violate our current peace, dismantle peoples’ freedom, affect human life, ruin developments that are going on, disrupt our coming development ways, weaken sustainable development resources, that are human and material capacities. Likewise the fulfillments of our desires and hopes peacefully through Allah, we beg our Creator. ‘’Oh Allah you is peace and a source of Peace. Oh Allah that owner of Knowledge and charity. Honor be to you, please peace keep our country’s peace and prosperity,’ we always beg Allah (SW) saying like this. Finally, even though you , the politically parties differ ideologically, as you are one country’s citizen and brothers, I pass my message on their behalf of the Ethiopian Muslims that you accept the difference among you and you unanimously do your endeavor on your part with love of the country for the country’s peace and the peoples’ prosperity. Thank you for your attention. Sheck Ahmrfom sheck Adbulahi President, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council Addis Ababa, Ethiopia MESSAGE TO CONTESTING PARTIES AT THE 4th NATIONAL ELECTION I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your change, exercising the oversight; not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have do it-not for sordid gain but eagerly;(1 Pt.5:1-2) First of all I would like to express my heartfelt joy in the name of the Ethiopian Catholic Church for having this opportunity to offer my reflection on the forth coming election of May 23, 2010. It is the utmost desire of the Ethiopian people for ‘freedom from misery, the greater assurance of Finding subsistence, health and fixed employment; an increased share of responsibility without oppression of any kind and in security from situations that do violence to their dignity as men; better education – in brief, to seek to do more, know more and have more in order to be more’ /The Development of peoples 6) ‘All citizens, therefore, should be mindful of the right and also the duty to use their free vote to further the common good. The Church praises and esteems the work of those who for the good of men devote themselves to the service of the state and take on the burdens of this office’ (The Church in the Modern world 75) 1. Resolving differences through dialogue. We strongly believe in the importance of being engaged in continual dialogue among the contesting Parties to narrow down gaps of electoral differences. 2. Avoiding the use of violence. At voting time and in post voting period both electors and police force, knowing human dignity is greater than differences in personal views, should avoid the use of force and instigate unrest. Valuing the cost of peace is our natural obligation 3. Not repeating the past mistakes. Looking back at the reality of our country, during the past many years’ people in this country have entertained so many destructive and life-costing conflicts and wars. We, who passed through the history and reality of those events, do not wish to see same events happen again in the history of our children. Let all unnecessarily unrest instigating and life-costing solutions stop on us. Let us have a matured, civilized and Good-Fearing way of thinking and resolutions as the best measure taking approach. 4. Responsibility for voting, We are preparing to vote for party/parties that would lead us for the next five years. In reality, the voting procedure is essential and inescapable issue for a country. Therefore, all citizens within the age range of voting are legitimate national benefit recipients, and thus should realize that to vote is their legitimate Citizenship right and responsibility. When we exercise this right, it is the initial stage of participation in progress of this country. One has to vote for a party following the dictate of his own conscience rather than being dictated by and other external pressure. 5. Precaution against post election events. The election experience of many countries reminds us that popular unrest occurs not at the time of preparation for the election rather at the process of election and post election period. We too have observed similar events at our few past election periods. To come to a peaceful ends it is obvious to engage the participation of many (government, contenders and voters). For whatever the outcome would be like to stress that is would be totally unfair to instigate unrest by pointing at other or creating grounds for such acts. When we say so we do not mean that there will not be good reasons to complain on the outcome of results. Though it may happen, we strongly believe in possibilities for a peaceful dialogue to take place to sort out disputing issues. Opting for peace-threatening and life-endangering procedure would stand against the law of nature. On this issue I implore in the name of God, each and every Ethiopian and concerned parties to contribute their part for a peaceful election process that would lead to a successful outcome. Mean-while, I would remind all the faithful to be vigilant in prayer for a peaceful election. May god bless Ethiopia Prayer Lord makes me an instrument of your peace Where there is hatred love Where there is injury pardon Where there is discord unity Where there is doubt faith Where there is mistake forgiveness Where there is despair hope Where there is sadness joy Where there is darkness light. Amen + Abun Berhaneyesus. Cm Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa President of the catholic Bishops conference of Ethiopia A peace call from the Ethiopia Evangelical church mekane yesus Addressed to all political parties Running for the 4th National and Regional Elections In the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit Triune God Amen! Since her establishment as a national church, the Ethiopian Evangelical church mekene Yesus has established a culture of installing her leaders by a periodic election. Representatives of church membership meet every four year and elect their leaders by secret ballot for a four term. Thus, the Ethiopian Evangelical church Mekann Yesus fully understands the meaning and significance of periodic election. We as an Ethiopia church fully believe that Ethiopia is a precious God given gift to us. Our forefathers have invested in sweat and blood to maintain Ethiopia as an independent political entity. Thus, we cherish their historical legacy; Ethiopia belongs to all of us in disregard of our diverse ethnic back-grounds, languages, cultures and religions, we aspire to ensure the continuity of this culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and promote the same particularly among our youth. We as a church are extremely concerned and worried as to the political culture that we need to inculcate in the minds of the coming generation. We want to hand over this country to our children with a better quality of life. Thus, while maintaining the best part of our past, we want to see Ethiopia as a rich and prosperous country where peace, justice and democracy is Paramount and where unity in equality promoted. Cognizant of the fact that building culture of peace and democracy in Ethiopia is mandatory rather than an option, we address this call of peace to the Ethiopian people’s Revolutionary Democratic front (EPRDF) and all opposition parties running for the 4th National and Regional Elections. In psalms 34:4, we are required to seek peace and pursue it. If we pursue peace, we are bound to gain. No one can benefit from violence. It is in the interest of the whole Ethiopian Society and the Horn Region that we need to accommodate differences and conduct ourselves in a peaceful environment. We are strongly convinced that political power derives solely from popular will expressed in free and fair elections. All parties aspiring to assume political leadership in this country should submit to this popular will. Any way ward move is doomed to be against will of the Ethiopian people. It is only peace that guarantees our future as a nation. Hence, all parties, including the ruling party, need to act responsibly. We have witnessed peaceful, fair and free elections in other of the world. Ethiopia is not different from others in this respect. There is no reason why Ethiopia cannot demonstrate this virtue. It is high time that Ethiopian political parties demonstrate political maturity and show respect for popular mandate. We also have a word to the electorate; Election is something that the electorate exercises once in five year in our context. It requires a wise decision. The opportunity of self-determination is in our hand. We need not squander this opportunity. Finally, we urge all parties, the government and the public at large to discharge this historical responsibility, in a just and peacefully manner and to restrain from violence in any it’s form. The Ethiopian Evangelical church Mekane Yesus remains with you in prayers and is ready to contribute her share towards this noble mission of embarking on a historic event. May the lord show His Favor and Give us His Peace! May the lord’s Face shine with His Joy on us and May He be Gracious to our people! Dereje Jenberu /Rev/ V/president, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus |