Monday, January 22, 2007

Historical Shawal Eid in Harar 2006

Historical Shawal Eid in Harar 2006

Asalamu ^Alaykum my fellow Hararis,

I was in Ethiopia recently and wanted to share with you my observation in Harar, Dire-Dawa, and Addis Ababa, in chronological order.

Background:
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The President of the Harari Regional Government, his Excellency, Murad Abdulhadi arranged a very important meeting for me while I was in Harar in my recent trips, and mate from 11:35 AM-2:15 PM with Gesi Zeydan Bakri, coordinating committee chairman as well as the head of Cultural & sport bureau Millennium, /July 2007, Gesi Mohammed Shash, Administrator for Harari Millennium/July 2007 event, Zamil Abdosh, Planning & program expert for Harari Millennium/July 2007 event, Gisti Sitimiyah Sharief, Program promotion expert for Harari Millennium/July 2007 event, subsequently I met Mayor ^Arief.

The agenda for the meeting was as follows:

1) Reviewing the readiness of July 2007 in Harar.
2) The role of Hararis in Diaspora,

First, Gesi Zeydan defined as to why the festivity was named “Harari Millennium.” He noted that there are some discussions going on among the Hararis in Diaspora regarding this issue. He said, "we are not coinciding with the Ethiopian Millennium project, he said Ethiopia is celebrating the 2000 history, where as, Harar is commemorating it’s over 1, 000 year history. He said they were not implying that the foundation of Harar is exactly 1,000 years, there is no question that there was settlement and civilization in that area for longer than that period. However, we are simply celebrating our "full reach of over 1,000 golden history." and he advised the Hararis not to spend their precious times in debating the issue of millennium, but rather he urged that they respond to the call of the motherland to come and celebrate the historic festivities with their fellow Hararis.

According to some Harari Historian, it's reported that in Ramadan 405 Hijri Aw Abadir
settled in Harar area. At that time there was no entity known as Harar. However, prior to Harar, there were various settlements in various areas such as Iskhanti gey, Tukhun gey, Khanti gey(Dakkar area)THESE ARE OLDER THAN Aw Abadir gey, which is Harar.

It was Aw Abadir who established a centralized settlement and trading posts - and named it Harar.

The name “Harar” corresponds to the year 405 Hijri which is the year in which Aw abadir first came to the area. in Abjad, the Arabic letter ‘ha’ being equivalent to 5, and the ‘ra’ being 200. (Ha Ra Ra corresponds to 5 + 200 + 200 = 405 Hijri).

Furthermore, to those who might need historical background on the Harari millennium; it’s sufficient to cite one simple evidence. The first Harari State Amir Habouba ruled from 969-999, and Amir Aw Abadir ruled from 999-1033 (European Calendar). As the President of Harar put it "we are not only celebrating the Harari sport part, rather we also wanted to promote our resourceful history to the whole world as well. Our main objective is not to exclusively celebrate our over 1,000 years of history, but rather to also focus in our future development, prosperity, and to enhance socially, economic development by engaging the participation of all Hararis & Harari State Government.

Also, please make a note that insha-Allah, there would be further discussion among Harari Historian at the symposium on the subject matter and share it with all Hararis, if you would like to participate or have any credible documentation please contact the Harari Government reps by March 15th, 07)

Note: 1st, the notion that we, the Harari State Government, have nothing with the Ethiopian Government is not the reality of our current confederated State with the rest of all Ethiopian States. As some of you might have heard, the Ethiopian Federal Government is preparing it’s 2,000 years (Millennium) activities, as the other Ethiopian confederated States participate, the Harari State will do it’s part, and share Harar’s contributions to the Ethiopian culture and it’s history.

2nd, The concept of celebrating the Millennium was first originated from the State of Harar, which the Ethiopian Federal Government follow Harar’s idea to celebrate the Ethiopian Millennium. Despite, all unnecessary controversial debate which initiated by some individuals on Harari internet, the basic fact is the Harari Government believe in promoting peace and democracy in Ethiopia, which means promoting the interest of the Harari people as well. The President’s message to all Hararis is to trust the Harari Government’s leadership, which is a democratically elected government by majority of its people to maintain & promote the interest of the Harari people.

Gesi, Mohammed Shash outlined his plan & vision as how best to execute the Harari Millennium a long with July 2007 Sport & Cultural event.

He outlined the guests that would be invited as follows:

1) Ethiopian Federal Government cabinet Min. and vice Min.; Parliament Members of the Federal Government of Ethiopia; as well as the Presidents of various State Gov. in Ethiopia
2) Foreign Ambassadors to Ethiopia
3) National & international NGO’s in Ethiopia;
4) All Regional Neighboring Government Presidents among others are invited.

The planning of the Harari Millennium July event is being planned as follows:

1) 10 Harari government bureau are taken specific project;
2) A special task force has been established in each of the nine (9) Kabele’s;
3) In, Dire-Dawa, & Addis Abeba, similar special task force is being established;
4) The Hararis in Australia, have informed the Harari Government that they have established "Moblizing Committee" with regard to Harar 2007 event;
5) The Harari Government official reps in U.S. & Canada are reviewing appropriate methods to mobilize the Hararis to participate in this historical event & to respond to the national call. As of now, the Harrais in Toronto formed a 13 member "mobilizing committee," and in the Washington, D.C. area a 5 member "mobilizing committee" has been formed. In Atlanta area, a meeting is being tentatively scheduled to convene on Sunday, January 28th, 2007; Dallas, Memphis, California area is in process of setting similar "mobilizing committee," Insha-Allah, the plan is to complete formation of the "mobilizing committee" throughout the State by mid February 2007.

The role of "mobilizing committees" will be as follows:
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1) Arrange & solicit the cheapest air fare for our people;

2) Arrange & take part in participating in U.S. Harari days/Canadian Harari Days/Europe Harari Days/Australians Harari days etc.; soccer tournaments, other sport activities; and symposium as well;


3) Identify & mobilize the Hararis to volunteers to plant 1,000 new trees; renovate old Harari homes. And any other tasks that might be needed and interested to volunteer...

4) Register names of Hararis who are interested in acquiring land for residential and/or business purposes so as to facilitate the process when they get to Harar.

Note: The role of this mobilizing committee is ad hoc, and as such its term shall be completed on the completion of the historical “Harar 2007" celebration. Let it be known to all that neither the Harari government, nor the mobilizing committees intends to replace the traditional work of the Federation.

However, as the President mentioned several times during his North America tour last year, the Harari Government will be glad to review and mediate any outstanding issues among our people in the diaspora if the request is made in writing.

It is for the benefit of the Harari people to work in unison and to avoid unnecessary bickering over trivial issues for the greater benefit of Harar and her people. We should all focus in implementing our long term plans for the survival of our heritage. It is a historical moment after many years of disbursement and wondering for Hararis all over the world to come together for a common cause, responding to maintain, and promoting National interest. Therefore, we appeal to all Hararis to respond and take part in this historic effort.

Security Concern:
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Many Hararis legitimately raised the Security concern while President Murad was touring North America and thereafter, the answer given then & now by the President is "...if need be, in addition to police and other security personnel in place, the Harari Government can request, the National Ethiopian Defense Military to maintain law and order. We are the war & peace generation. We have lived the toughest dark history of past, "red terror, Ogaden war, the fall of derg regime, etc." And currently there are no clear, credible war that is imminent in the streets of Addis, Dire-Dawa or Harar. As the president said, in spite of security personnel with all resources available to the East/West, it is inconceivable to eliminate all possible criminal activities but that the Harari state will do all that is possible to secure the event with the help of the Almighty Allah. After all, we the Muslims put our faith first & foremost in the protection of almighty Allah, and do every thing humanly possible to secure the safety of all of our citizen and our guests.


Awach Ziyara Event
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Out of many Awach, at least 10 Major awach has been selected (by organizing team in conjunction with Harari elders recommendation);

And first phase of the Ziyara project was put for trial at the time of "Shuwal Eid" and it’s amazingly joyful, and successful; In doing so, all forgotten Awach’s social, religious activities and the legacy of these exemplary Harari Awach can be revived, retained, and pass on their contribution to the future Hararis, insha-Allah for years to come. The organizing teams said they might allocate the people to various Awach according to their interest and as need basis. And insha-Allah, post the Ziyara, the linkage with the chosen Awach should continue (without imposing any obligation, exclusively these should be on free will and volunteer basis).

Harari Days & Symposium
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The organizing teams have great appreciations to those who initiated these very important "Harari Days." And, since this is by now international Harari days, (meaning Hararis are coming from different parts of the world) the organizing teams, urging each Harari communities to specifically state the program detail they would like to organize and it recommend to coordinate as follow:

U.S. Harari day, (all major communities in U.S. need to work collaboratively together and organize the U.S. Harari day;

Canadian Harari day, similarly all major communities/afocha’s to organize Harari Canadian day;

Europe Harari day, all major Harari communities in Europe to organize the Harari Europe day;

Australians Harari day, all major Harari communities/ Afocha’s to organize the Australian Harari day.

Dire Dawa, Addis Ababa & Harar (Motherland) Harrari day.

Recommendation: To the Hararis in Diasporas:
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In Addition what has been mentioned above, additional things might be done is: What gift can each Harari community bring to Harari People:

1) Two ways radio communications tools; Mobile radio, TV? station, books, computers, and soft wares for Harari school children, computers, scanners and printers for some needed offices; sponsor specific project of their interest such as but not limited to; sponsoring Harari orphans children; target selected very needed families to be self sufficient, in farming, milking, trade; or sponsoring 100 Harari youth to get marriage etc....

Venders
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Those who want to provide any services to the public, must obtain written permission from the Harari Government, and submit their written proposals as what they want to sell, or provide services by February 28th 2007, and will be treated in first come first served basis.

Historical Shawal Eid:
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What make this year's Shawal Eid unigue in Harar is "the returning of our disbursed lost generations, the Siltay old Harari people." The celebration of Shuwal Eid started on Sunday at around 5:00 PM (local time) about 50 Toyota Land Cruise carrying Harari high level Government officials including President Murad went to Danagago about 25 Killo Meter from Harar, and welcomed our Siltay brothers(about 300 Siltays who came from Addis Ababa) headed by President Sani Radi, escorted by Harari Police motorists and was welcomed to the city of Harar with military pride..and fire work....words can not describes the seen and the joy.....President Murad hosted a dinner for the guests and delivered very important speech stressing the need to reunite the two disconnected people. Similarly, President Sani Radi reiterated and he said the Harari people are no longer small in numbers, all Siltas are Hararis, and we are returning to our motherland.."

The Harari & Siltay HIstorians presented at Amira Abdullahi Auditoriyam historical background, it mentioned over 800 words identical to Harari language and we recommend the Harari cultural bureau to prepare the DVD on this historical Shwal Eid so that all Hararis who missed this historical moment, can review and learn the entire activities.....

Both Presidents formed "jointly a task force" to study ways and means to re unify the same people.In this century, we have seen the reunification of South & North Yemen, the East & West Germany, and insha-Allah one day we want to see all Hararis "re united" with their motherland.

New Hotel (Heritages Plaza)

The owner of Heritage Plaza, Dr.Abduljawad Addous, inaugurated his hotel and invited 1000 high level officials including the Siltay guests and Masha-Allah was very joyful. We wish him a successful business......

The next day, the Harari women association cooked over 50 different (even forgotten dishs) foods, the lunch to all guest free of charges (Masha-Allah, our people are very generous, as Ikarm aldoyouf (hospitality to the guest) is a proper Islamic ethics...May Allah immensely reward all those who cooked, served, contributed their time and money.

Also, President Murad inaugurated "Harari youth Center, and HIV information Center." Both centers are very timely needed. As one great Muslim scholar put it "...if you want to make any assesment as where the country and it's people's future are going, he said come and see where the youth spend their energy & time.The scholar continue to say, if you find the youth spend their time in ^Ibadah, mastering the basic Islamic studies well,learning matters to dunia to benefit the Ummah (Nation),engage in recreational and all socio ecnomic activities, he said such youth's contribution to the Ummah (the Nation) insha-Allah might have promissing future.....We commend President Murad for taking timely needed actions. The Hararis in diaspora in particular ought to supply the centers with educational materials as early as possible.......

Finally,1st) Please frequently visit the Harari government official web site for weekly update at:
www.2007harar.com; 2nd I want to thank President Murad for his leadership, his cabinet for their diligently and hard work, and all of my colleagues (who are working as late as 2:AM at the time) reviewing and working matters essentials to our people......

Again, our motherland has called every one of us, and let us all say in one voice "Labayk Ya Harar Baday" and mobilize our resources to show our collective efforts and be part of this historical and memorable event - insha-Allah for years to come.....And May Allahu T^ala help us achieve our DREAM, Help us become united, and together insha-Allah, we will make a difference...

Your brother in Islam,
Salah Wazir
Atlanta, Georgia
(404)783-2424
Abadir98@Aol.com

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