1. religion and spirituality
2. islam

LUQMAN ETHIOPIAN-BELGIAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION, LEBMA vzw
Zonnebloemstraat 28, 9600 Ronse - Belgium
http://luqmanethiopia.org | info@luqmanethiopia.org
In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Compassionate
Statement on the Massacre of Ethiopians in Libya
April 20, 2015
Belgium
for Immediate Release
*****
LEBMA vzw has just learnt with great sorrow the massacre of about thirty Ethiopians in Libya. According
to several news outlets the massacre is claimed by a group called ISIS/ISIL. LEBMA vzw, organization of
Ethiopian Muslims in Belgium and Belgian Muslims of Ethiopian origin, and its members condemn with
the strongest possible terms this barbaric act. The act is an anti-thesis of the basic principles and
teaching of Islam. It is also against humanity that Islam holds as sacred. Islam, a religion of over one and
half billion people, gives human life the highest regard. Actually the Quran is explicit in equating the
killing of an innocent person with the killing of the whole humanity and saving the life of an innocent
person as equal to the saving of the whole humanity (Q005:032). Similarly the statement reportedly
issued accompanied by the video of the massacre in an attempt to justify the group’s terrible act, holds
no ground whatsoever from the perspective of any moral, religious or even political considerations.
In the history of Islam and the relation of Islam and Christianity, Ethiopia shines high and it opens the
very first chapter of any Islamic history book. The cordial relationship that existed between Prophet
Muhammed (saw), the best of mankind, and Nejashi, the just Ethiopian Christian King, is ever existing
and stands forever as a prime example of how difference in religion would not prompt one to declare
the other as hostile or enemy. In spite of the presence of some problems in the relations between the
political system and different religious communities in different times in the history of the country,
Ethiopian Muslims and Christians have lived together with affection, understanding and mutual respect.
This unique bond of Ethiopians that triumphed over historic attempts to declare one religion as enemy
to the other, would withstand the recent attempt of ISIS/ISIL and its likes to divide us on the basis of our
belief. We stand united as one body and refute all assertions that lead some to believe that Ethiopian
Christians are the enemies of their Muslim brothers and vice versa.
LUQMAN ETHIOPIAN-BELGIAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION, LEBMA vzw
Zonnebloemstraat 28, 9600 Ronse – Belgium | http://luqmanethiopia.org | info@luqmanethiopia.org
LUQMAN ETHIOPIAN-BELGIAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION, LEBMA vzw
Zonnebloemstraat 28, 9600 Ronse - Belgium
http://luqmanethiopia.org | info@luqmanethiopia.org
On a similar note, LEBMA vzw condemns the xenophobic attack in South Africa on African immigrants. In
a manner that belittles the role Ethiopia and Ethiopians played in the South African’s libration from the
apartheid regime, we are particularly sadden by the fact that Ethiopians were targeted and a number of
them were burnt alive. Our sympathy goes with the victims of these atrocities, their families and the
bigger Ethiopian people.
While issuing this statement to condemn and highlight the situation of Ethiopians in different partS of
the world, LEBMA vzw would like to call upon all Ethiopians to reflect on the reason why such a huge
number of Ethiopians decide to put themselves at risk by crossing borders and travelling to unstable
part of the world. Before they could even arrive a certain destination, several of them perish on the way.
They leave their home and family behind and choose to go for the risky and for the unknown. This, to
our belief, is because of the absence of alternatives as the social, economical and political environment
in the country would not allow them to work and live in freedom. Ethiopia today is a country with gross
human and civil right abuses. Citizens are put behind bars and made to endure torture for no reason
other than claiming their legal and constitutional rights. Thousands of community leaders, religious
scholars, civil liberty activists, journalists and political party leaders are currently charged under the
illegal and unconstitutional anti-terrorism law and languishing in Ethiopian prisons. As the basis of our
agony lies behind the injustices and right abuses (manifesting itself as economic, social or political) in
Ethiopia, its remedy lies in it as well. In fact, for all the sufferings of Ethiopians both at home and
overseas, the ruling EPRDF and its policies should take the responsibility.
Our suffering would not possibly end with what we witnessed in Libya, in South Africa and in the Middle
East unless we address the gross human right abuses and lack of freedom in Ethiopia. In this respect we
call upon the government of Ethiopia, civil society organizations and the ordinary citizens to act
decisively and in brevity to turn the tide of our sufferings and the dangerous path the country is being
pushed to.
United we stand – divided we fail!
LEBMA vzw
Info@luqmanethiopia.org
April 20, 2015
Belgium
LUQMAN ETHIOPIAN-BELGIAN MUSLIMS ASSOCIATION, LEBMA vzw
Zonnebloemstraat 28, 9600 Ronse – Belgium | http://luqmanethiopia.org | info@luqmanethiopia.org