All eyes on Harar in July

Harar’s establishment millennium to trigger the third new Ethiopian millennium

By Andualem Sisay

The Harar First Millennium was launched in the presence of Girma Wolde-Giorgis, President of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The president it is to be re called has authored a book about the city entitled, “Then and Today”.
“I believe that the celebration of Harar’s one-thousandth anniversary of its founding as a city imparts a uniquely beautiful Harari color to the multi-facetted celebration of the Ethiopian third Millennium,” said the president, speaking at the event here in Addis at the Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday May 23, 2007.
With the motto of ‘think globally and act locally’, the Harar Millennium Committee has been undertaking various activities here and abroad to colorfully promote Harar’s first Millennium. The city was registered by UNESCO in 2006 as the 45th historical town of peace and coexistance.
Ms. Florence Ssereo, UNESCO Representative on the ceremony indicated that the conservation activities underway in Harar are encouraging and the World Heritage Council is expecting a progress report in July, 2007. She also stressed UNESCO’s readiness to cooperate with the town in order to protect and promote the intangible heritages of Harar such as traditional music and dance.
Ethiopian third Millennium Festival Council Director, Siyum Bereded, on his part indicated that both the Harar First Millennium celebration and Ethiopia’s third Millennium celebrations have created good opportunities to restore and rehabilitate the degrading environment of the country.
According to the Lunar Calendar, 405 Hijra means it is now 1023 years old. The city could be even older and further studies should be conducted to know the exact age of the city, according to Ambassador Mohammed Dirir, Minister of Tourism and Culture, who spoke at the launching.
After Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem; with 82 mosques and uncountable shrines, the walled city of Harar is the 4th holiest city of Sunni Islam. It is also considered as an original domestic center of the world famous ‘coffee Arabica’ and the mild stimulant leaf chat (catha adulis).
Harar, located in eastern Ethiopia 526 km from Addis Ababa, is expecting tens of thousands of visitors as well as its own population for the celebration of its first Millennium. The city has dedicated the full month of July for the colorful celebration of its Millennium with various events such as festivals, bazaars, tree planting, as well as other developmental programs.
World Heritage registration of Harar Jugal fiesta, investment opportunity& promotion program, the 12th Harari sport tournament , handing over of land for investors and the inauguration, of Abdella Sherif`s museum are among the programs which will be undertaken during the month long Harar first Millennium celebration.
According to Ahmed Zekeriya, Harar Millennium Project Advisor, out of the one mln sq.mt of land that the city administration is preparing for the Ethiopian diaspora who are interested to build houses and settle in Harar, some 600,000 sq mts are now ready.

http://www.capitalethiopia.com/archive/2007/May/week4/local_news.htm#6

Harar town making preparations to celebrate 1,000th anniversary, Millennium

Harrar, May 16, 2007 (WIC) - Preparations are well underway to celebrate the upcoming Ethiopian Millennium with the 1,000th anniversary of Harrar city, Chief Administrator of the Harrari State said.

State Administrator Murad Abdulhadi told WIC yesterday that that the day will be celebrated from July 1 to July 30 in the presence of 15,000 to 20,000 natives of the state expected to come from abroad for the celebrations.

A cultural week that revives the establishment of the city and its registration as a world heritage by UNESCO would be held in the first week, he said.

Accordingly, the ancient wall of Jegol and other heritages would be attractively be displayed to tourists coming to the city, Murad elaborated.

Traditional dances and sports festivals in which the five neighboring states would take part will also be organized, according to the Chief Administrator.

Joint conferences that would strengthen the historical unity and relations of the neighboring states would also be held, it was also pointed out.

A millennium village of natives of the state and guests coming to the state as well as investors would be established, he said, adding that a bazaar will also be organized and designs of finalized millennium parks inaugurated.

Some 5,000 foreign guests from Canada, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Europe are registered to come for the festival, in addition to those who come individually, Murad added.

Committees have been set up to provide efficient hotel and transport services for the guests coming to celebrate the festival, it was indicated.
(c) Walta Information Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

DC Screening of Imam Ahmed @ First Hijra Foundation

Imam Ahmed's documentary was screened last Sunday, April 29th, 2007 at the
Venezuelan Embassy. The event was attended by both the Harari and Silte
communities.

Dr. Afendi Ziad made a brief presentation about the life and achievements of
Imam Ahmed before the screening. The screening was followed by a brief
discussion and fund raising for the project.

After the screening the siltes and Hararis met to discuss means of
strengthening relationship between the two communities and agreed to hold
joint meetings at a feature date.

During the discussion it was requested that the "Imam Ahmed" screening be
held at First Hijra Foundation.

The screening is scheduled to be held on Friday May 4th, 2007 at First Hijra
Foundation after the maghrib prayers.

I would like to thank br. Abdulaziz Kamus, Mohammed Abdusalam, and all who
made last weeks event a success.

wasalaam,
Mohammed