The taekwondo class has started today at abdal school

The taekwondo class has started today at abdal school. I would like to thank all those who sponsored, pledged to sponsor, or are thinking of sponsoring a student, as well as those who prayed for the success of the program.

Present at the inaguration ceremony were: Mukhtar Ali, Vice speaker of the Harari parliment,
Yimage Idris, head of Cultural & Sports Bureau, and Elias Abdumalik, head of urban development Bureau.


The students were very excited about the program.

Many who did not make it to the program were sad that they did not get to be sponsored. They asked "what about us?".

I said insha'Allah there will be more people to sponsor you. The reality is we have not gotten even the minimum of 30 we were aiming for, and we have not gotten all the pledged amount yet. Therefore, we urge those of you who have pledged to sponsor students to send your payments, and those of you who haven't pledged yet to do so now.

Attached is a photo of some of the children in the program. There will be more picture soon.

This is an update for the "tae kwon do class in Harar"

As'salamu alaykum everyone:

This is an update for the "tae kwon do class in Harar". The class will not start on the previously scheduled date of February 1st, 2008.

We have moved the start date to 2 weeks later due to some technical problems that we have resolved now.

Here is some pertinent information that you might want to know:

1. The class will be offered at Abdir School at Abdal
2. Only 5th grade students at that school will be sponsored
3. Ratio of boys to girls shall be 50-50%
4. Class will start in mid February

The board members of the school have met and agreed with the concept. We met with school officials today, and they have agreed to work in partnership with this program. They will discuss the issue with both students and parents and get back to us within a week.

There are almost 100 students in the 5th grade in Abdal school, with male to female ratio being almost 50-50 (48 vs. 47). The initial goal is to sponsor 50 students from this grade. We are developing a criterion for students to join the program - using attendance record and performance in school.

However, our ultimate goal is to sponsor all the 5th grade students. That will be possible only if Harari community members take this program seriously and sponsor more children. "no child left behind" should be the goal of this project.

Why 5th grade students you might ask? It takes about 4 years to get a black belt. Therefore, by the time the children complete the 8th grade they should have their black belt. Thereafter, these children can instruct the younger generation - and will be able to make sport and discipline to be the future part of the culture in Harar.

Therefore, I urge all of you who have pledged to sponsor a child to send your payments now.

We also urge those who have not pledged to do so now. We would like to see afochas and jamas sponsor at least 5 children each.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who have already sent your pledge for this noble cause.

In order to have a fruitful harvest in the future, we have to sow the seed now.

w/peace,
Mohammed Al-Harari

A 30 Million Birr Roadway Construction Contract is Signed

Friday, 01 February 2008

The Harari National Regional State signed a 30 million Birr contract for a construction of 15 km of roadway with Hunan Hunand, a Chinese company that is specialized in the construction of highways and bridges. The proposed roadway is to be constructed in the city of Harar.

The Harari National Regional State signed a 30 million Birr contract for a construction of 15 km of roadway with Hunan Hunand, a Chinese company that is specialized in the construction of highways and bridges. The proposed roadway is to be constructed in the city of Harar.


The president of the Harari National Regional State, H.E. Murad Abdulhadi signed the agreement on behalf of the regional State. During the signing ceremony, he stated that roadway construction was part of the strategic package for the current administration. The president expressed his confidence that the construction of the roadways will play a highly important role in the expansion of investment and tourism opportunities for the Harari Regional State. The Regional State has allocated 80% of its capital budget for the timely completion of the project.



The Manager of Hunan Hunand, Mr. Young Riwa, remarked that their company has modern equipments and expertise necessary to construct quality highways that would fulfill the needs of the citizens of the Regional State. Mr. Riwa further stated that the project is scheduled for

Defense Ministry Hands Over 27 Hectares of Land

Friday, 01 February 2008
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Defense ministry handed over 27 hectares of land to the Harari National Regional State based on an agreement reached between the two sides on January 29, 2008. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s Defense ministry handed over 27 hectares of land to the Harari National Regional State based on an agreement reached between the two sides on January 29, 2008.

Harar was used as a military garrison by the previous regimes. Around 200 hectares (2 million square meters) of the land were used as a military camp, which seriously hindered the growth and revitalization of the Harari National Regional State. Further negotiations are underway with the Defense ministry to recover more lands to be used for various investment and housing projects.