Eight people have died so far
Last Friday in Addis Ababa city, in the area of Anwar Mosque in Merkato, there was a dispute between the government security forces and the worshiper. At the time of writing this report, eight people have died; An unknown number of them were reported to have suffered serious and moderate injuries.
Addis Ababa City High Council for Islamic Affairs Public Relations Head Zemdekun Bru; “It has been confirmed that the lives of eight people were killed by bullets fired by the security forces that day,” they told Addis Morning. He explained that the identity of one of the deceased could not be identified due to lack of identification.
The head added: Stating that youths who are said to have “organized a rally” are being rescued from their homes and arrested; “The issue has reached a critical level,” he said.
The official, who said that a funeral executive committee has been formed to bury the dead, said that the funeral of four pilgrims took place at the Muslim mausoleum in Kolfe yesterday, Saturday, May 26/2015. He said that efforts are being made to escort the rest to their native places immediately and to confirm the identity of the unidentified pilgrims.
“Is it true what is being said in various media that the Muslim community was shot at by the security forces when they bowed down peacefully without raising any voice of protest?” A question was presented to them from Addis Morning. “We are still investigating him,” they replied.
On that day, The sources of Addis Maleda who were there pointed out that similar problems had arisen in various mosques in Jimma City.
For example, they told us that loud gunfire was heard at the Munir Mosque located in the area called Mentina or Zakar Ber, the Fatih Mosque located in the area called Agip, and the Rahma Mosque located in the area called Hasan Garage.
Our information source told us that security forces were seen in large numbers at the place since the morning, and mentioned that when the followers of the faith came out for prostration, they raised their voices about the mosques that were being demolished recently.
At this time, the security forces in the area told us that they heard gunshots. He said that many people were injured in their efforts to flee.
Addis Maleda reported that similar problems occurred in the cities of Harar, Shashemene, and Dodola.