You are making her point clearly. Thank you for trying to terrorize anyone for voicing her/his opinion. Hate is coming from you. Analysis the message, don’t try to kill the messenger. Well that’s all you can do, because you are not individual thinker you are a group thinker.
Thank you assena,
You truly stand for freedom of speech, I learned a lot from this open discussion and this fearless and very intelligent woman. Why does this type of discussion matter to Eritrea because there are as many Muslims in Eritrea as there are other religions.If Aljazeera can air this, then Assena should too. After all Eritrea lives in a region where there are many extremists and groups who commit so much evil in the name of religion.
if there is any closed minded medieval creature out there who opposes this discussion, he has every right to oppose to Aljazeera (not to assenna) or he can leave the free West and its democratic values (may be ask asylum in Saudi Arabia with his family).
muslims are hipocrate if you dont see religion why wher you saying tha arabic must be eritrean language blabla was it the christians talking about mixing and poletics christians are clearly state that religion and country is to different thing,so we can’t have any religios languages as national language its you you keep coming with the same isue every time TSEMAM SI HADE DERFU KEMZBEHAL in order to let you know your sicknes we telling you what is wrong islam today after all we are a christin country from centuries.islam that who has come in 7th centurie as refugee and now they giving us hard time they telling us u become fanatic and so on if you don’t like our religion just leave us alone and go where your religion come from.
We Eritreans and Ethiopians are not used to discuss religion without insulting religions or it’s followers and turn it into, a sharp political tool against each other. That is why any attempt to discuss religions is an opportunity for some to divide people and create unnecessary tension in our cyber societies.
Although Eritrea has been an example of peaceful co-existence between followers of different faiths for centuries, the regime and it’s supporters have been working hard to divide people along confessional lines.
They have been instigating problems not only between Christians and Muslims, but also between different Christian denominations. They have created problems not only between different Christian denominations, but also within followers of the same Church. Because of PDFJ’s divisive policies, there are divisions between different Muslims sects, within Orthodox Church, between Chatolics from Akeleguzai and Senhit, between different Protestant churches and Orthodox Church ..etc. But despite all these problems created by the regime, the people of Eritrea have managed to remain united.
In Ethiopia the situation is not much different. The government is trying to impose a Lebanon based sect known as ‘Al Ahbash’ on followers of Sunni Islam. This problem has been an eye opener for many young Muslims in the country, and it’s going to have a far reaching effect in a country that considers itself a Christian island, and historically treated Muslims as foreigners in their own land (“be Ethiopia yemighegnu Islamoch”). Leaders of Ethiopian Muslim community are in jail and there are continuous protests by Muslims to put pressure on the government to let them free. It’s a well know fact that traditionally Ethiopia is ruled by Christian elites who have deep seated hatred of Islam.
Therefore, it’s in the interest of peace to stop publishing controversial religious material. Respecting each others faiths and getting common ground is secularism is the best policy. Mixing politics and religion is a deadly exercise, it’s harmful to all. Usually the first victims are those who like to play with such sensitive and dangerous public emotions.
If I may ask you something, You and I have had our disagreements, but you strike me as someone wellread and very familiar with the history of our region.
I have some nagging questions about secularism in Eritrea. These time in our history seems to be the time of religious states all-around Eritrea. Can a devout muslim accept the laws of Man over the laws of God?
Isn’t islam a religion and state.
How can we find that delicate balance of finding a way of respecting individual liberty and accomodating ethnic/religious rights.
How can we protect the people from being inundated by right wing american christian influence and how can we stop the radicaliztion of Eritrean muslims by the neigboring countries who use religion as a stepping stone.
Kalighe
You want to have peace with out open desiccation. You meant well, but your suggestion is not helpful in fact it is a treating message. At the same time you mention all kind of division with in Eritrean religions. I want to learn why, so I can find solution to me and to my fellow man. That’s exactly the problem in Africa. The absent of free expression is the absent of knowledge, peace comes within you when are equipped with knowledge, nothing else.
Dear all,
I think it is important that muslims of all nationalities and wherever they may be open themselves up for critical thinking and debates. As far as I am concerned, I still beleive in one God(Allah) but I also have problem with Mohammed and the Quran itself. For, the life and behaviour of the man i.e. Mohammed and certain passages of the Quran are the sources of evil of all we are witnesing being comitted by self proclaimed true muslims.
I did not know much about Mohammed and Quran when I was Eritrea but thanks to the time spent in Egypt, I was able to discover many issues that I never thought existed in the Quran. So the problem today is not with the muslims but it is to do with Mohammed and his Quran. We need to stop acting as sheep that just follow thier sheephered without questioning, and we need to ask questions, think critically and make our own choices.
First of all, to those who are attacking Irshad and saying she is anti-Islamic, I say this is a debate that we badly need to have among ourselves as Muslims. It is a healthy debate to help Muslims sort out a lot of the issues facing them in the contemporary world. And attacking the speaker’s character rather than debating her ideas does not get one anywhere.
But when Assenna posts, out of the blue and without any context, a video entitled “What is wrong with Islam?”, well, it is bound to draw questions and exclamations, given the sensitivity of the subject which even Assenna itself advised in the past it should be avoided (when it objected to the debate that was going on a few years back, especially in Awate.com, about the exclusion of Eritrean muslims today in Eritrea).
So, I am for debating, and not shying away, from any issues that are real and important in our society. Yet, Assenna would have served its readers, and the general Eritrean public, better had it provided context (Eritrean context) for the video before publishing it here. Because this, unlike Al Jazeera, is an Eritrean forum. In other words, without such context, it is natural for some readers to wonder why?, what is the purpose? .. as indeed many have asked
You said: “I have some nagging questions about secularism in Eritrea. These time in our history seems to be the time of religious states all-around Eritrea. Can a devout muslim accept the laws of Man over the laws of God?”
Secularism is a product of a particular and yet very important chapter of European history.
Historically, the church had given corrupt monarchies a protection they needed, by linking the temporal and the holy, in a way that ordinary people were not even allowed to question.
So, hate to kings was extended to their protectors (the church). The French revolution and the advent of Protestantism are two important elements in the making of modern European thought of enlightenment. This is not to say that secularism cannot be embraced elsewhere, but it has to be considered taking into account the realities of the country in question.
Neither Christians nor Muslims can afford to have a ‘Giordano Bruno’, if such a person had to appear on the altar of Orthodox church, his fate would not be less than that of his predecessor who lived 500 years ago, you could hear people shouting (bihiweto yinded !!) “al rogo !!, al rogo !!” . Therefore the problem is not about Islam denying people critical thinking (Ijtihad), which has been an essential element of Islamic theology, but there is a different historical and social context that does not permit anyone to reproduce an exact image of what is created elsewhere as it is. We should do only what is possible to do in our countries: a secular state that respects all religions and keeps the same distance from all.
Actually due to luck of time i read only few comments the topic regarding. Because of that to those of you in developed democratic nations such as US, Europe and others most Christian nations, if you be assuming they be rulling by human law not with God of law, i assure you, as you terribly are mistaken. Believe or not almost all good law or good constitution that is ruling a developed christian nations, i could assure its foundation and source God´s word and law self it is. because of that the claim, they ruling by human law for me, it is unacceptable argument that comes from unknowingly. But, if someone doubt and dare to argue me, i am open to approve you how every good law as it come from God word and it source God´s order self it is. I may need only time all your concern to answer.
Sahle Yosieph June 23, 2013
You are making her point clearly. Thank you for trying to terrorize anyone for voicing her/his opinion. Hate is coming from you. Analysis the message, don’t try to kill the messenger. Well that’s all you can do, because you are not individual thinker you are a group thinker.
Omar June 23, 2013
Thank you assena,
You truly stand for freedom of speech, I learned a lot from this open discussion and this fearless and very intelligent woman. Why does this type of discussion matter to Eritrea because there are as many Muslims in Eritrea as there are other religions.If Aljazeera can air this, then Assena should too. After all Eritrea lives in a region where there are many extremists and groups who commit so much evil in the name of religion.
if there is any closed minded medieval creature out there who opposes this discussion, he has every right to oppose to Aljazeera (not to assenna) or he can leave the free West and its democratic values (may be ask asylum in Saudi Arabia with his family).
yodit June 23, 2013
muslims are hipocrate if you dont see religion why wher you saying tha arabic must be eritrean language blabla was it the christians talking about mixing and poletics christians are clearly state that religion and country is to different thing,so we can’t have any religios languages as national language its you you keep coming with the same isue every time TSEMAM SI HADE DERFU KEMZBEHAL in order to let you know your sicknes we telling you what is wrong islam today after all we are a christin country from centuries.islam that who has come in 7th centurie as refugee and now they giving us hard time they telling us u become fanatic and so on if you don’t like our religion just leave us alone and go where your religion come from.
azeb June 23, 2013
What is wrong with islam today thats true
Kalighe June 23, 2013
Dear Amanuel Iyasu,
We Eritreans and Ethiopians are not used to discuss religion without insulting religions or it’s followers and turn it into, a sharp political tool against each other. That is why any attempt to discuss religions is an opportunity for some to divide people and create unnecessary tension in our cyber societies.
Although Eritrea has been an example of peaceful co-existence between followers of different faiths for centuries, the regime and it’s supporters have been working hard to divide people along confessional lines.
They have been instigating problems not only between Christians and Muslims, but also between different Christian denominations. They have created problems not only between different Christian denominations, but also within followers of the same Church. Because of PDFJ’s divisive policies, there are divisions between different Muslims sects, within Orthodox Church, between Chatolics from Akeleguzai and Senhit, between different Protestant churches and Orthodox Church ..etc. But despite all these problems created by the regime, the people of Eritrea have managed to remain united.
In Ethiopia the situation is not much different. The government is trying to impose a Lebanon based sect known as ‘Al Ahbash’ on followers of Sunni Islam. This problem has been an eye opener for many young Muslims in the country, and it’s going to have a far reaching effect in a country that considers itself a Christian island, and historically treated Muslims as foreigners in their own land (“be Ethiopia yemighegnu Islamoch”). Leaders of Ethiopian Muslim community are in jail and there are continuous protests by Muslims to put pressure on the government to let them free. It’s a well know fact that traditionally Ethiopia is ruled by Christian elites who have deep seated hatred of Islam.
Therefore, it’s in the interest of peace to stop publishing controversial religious material. Respecting each others faiths and getting common ground is secularism is the best policy. Mixing politics and religion is a deadly exercise, it’s harmful to all. Usually the first victims are those who like to play with such sensitive and dangerous public emotions.
Zaul June 23, 2013
Kalighe,
If I may ask you something, You and I have had our disagreements, but you strike me as someone wellread and very familiar with the history of our region.
I have some nagging questions about secularism in Eritrea. These time in our history seems to be the time of religious states all-around Eritrea. Can a devout muslim accept the laws of Man over the laws of God?
Isn’t islam a religion and state.
How can we find that delicate balance of finding a way of respecting individual liberty and accomodating ethnic/religious rights.
How can we protect the people from being inundated by right wing american christian influence and how can we stop the radicaliztion of Eritrean muslims by the neigboring countries who use religion as a stepping stone.
Just a few questions 🙂
Sahle Yosieph June 23, 2013
Kalighe
You want to have peace with out open desiccation. You meant well, but your suggestion is not helpful in fact it is a treating message. At the same time you mention all kind of division with in Eritrean religions. I want to learn why, so I can find solution to me and to my fellow man. That’s exactly the problem in Africa. The absent of free expression is the absent of knowledge, peace comes within you when are equipped with knowledge, nothing else.
Thomas June 23, 2013
Dear all,
I think it is important that muslims of all nationalities and wherever they may be open themselves up for critical thinking and debates. As far as I am concerned, I still beleive in one God(Allah) but I also have problem with Mohammed and the Quran itself. For, the life and behaviour of the man i.e. Mohammed and certain passages of the Quran are the sources of evil of all we are witnesing being comitted by self proclaimed true muslims.
I did not know much about Mohammed and Quran when I was Eritrea but thanks to the time spent in Egypt, I was able to discover many issues that I never thought existed in the Quran. So the problem today is not with the muslims but it is to do with Mohammed and his Quran. We need to stop acting as sheep that just follow thier sheephered without questioning, and we need to ask questions, think critically and make our own choices.
Halaf mengedi (Adem Nur) June 23, 2013
Selam to all,
First of all, to those who are attacking Irshad and saying she is anti-Islamic, I say this is a debate that we badly need to have among ourselves as Muslims. It is a healthy debate to help Muslims sort out a lot of the issues facing them in the contemporary world. And attacking the speaker’s character rather than debating her ideas does not get one anywhere.
But when Assenna posts, out of the blue and without any context, a video entitled “What is wrong with Islam?”, well, it is bound to draw questions and exclamations, given the sensitivity of the subject which even Assenna itself advised in the past it should be avoided (when it objected to the debate that was going on a few years back, especially in Awate.com, about the exclusion of Eritrean muslims today in Eritrea).
So, I am for debating, and not shying away, from any issues that are real and important in our society. Yet, Assenna would have served its readers, and the general Eritrean public, better had it provided context (Eritrean context) for the video before publishing it here. Because this, unlike Al Jazeera, is an Eritrean forum. In other words, without such context, it is natural for some readers to wonder why?, what is the purpose? .. as indeed many have asked
Peace
senay June 23, 2013
What you have said makes sense. Attacking the messanger never solve the problem.
Kalighe June 24, 2013
Selamat Zaul,
You said: “I have some nagging questions about secularism in Eritrea. These time in our history seems to be the time of religious states all-around Eritrea. Can a devout muslim accept the laws of Man over the laws of God?”
Secularism is a product of a particular and yet very important chapter of European history.
Historically, the church had given corrupt monarchies a protection they needed, by linking the temporal and the holy, in a way that ordinary people were not even allowed to question.
So, hate to kings was extended to their protectors (the church). The French revolution and the advent of Protestantism are two important elements in the making of modern European thought of enlightenment. This is not to say that secularism cannot be embraced elsewhere, but it has to be considered taking into account the realities of the country in question.
Neither Christians nor Muslims can afford to have a ‘Giordano Bruno’, if such a person had to appear on the altar of Orthodox church, his fate would not be less than that of his predecessor who lived 500 years ago, you could hear people shouting (bihiweto yinded !!) “al rogo !!, al rogo !!” . Therefore the problem is not about Islam denying people critical thinking (Ijtihad), which has been an essential element of Islamic theology, but there is a different historical and social context that does not permit anyone to reproduce an exact image of what is created elsewhere as it is. We should do only what is possible to do in our countries: a secular state that respects all religions and keeps the same distance from all.
To be continued …
Truly, truly i say to you June 24, 2013
Actually due to luck of time i read only few comments the topic regarding. Because of that to those of you in developed democratic nations such as US, Europe and others most Christian nations, if you be assuming they be rulling by human law not with God of law, i assure you, as you terribly are mistaken. Believe or not almost all good law or good constitution that is ruling a developed christian nations, i could assure its foundation and source God´s word and law self it is. because of that the claim, they ruling by human law for me, it is unacceptable argument that comes from unknowingly. But, if someone doubt and dare to argue me, i am open to approve you how every good law as it come from God word and it source God´s order self it is. I may need only time all your concern to answer.