Who is Ahbash? Why do we struggle against "Ahbashism Campaign"?

In the last few months, large percentage of our people has clearly understood what "Ahbash" is. We thank the Almighty Allah for this great achievement. But still now some people continue to misunderstand the Ahbash faction and the objective of our srtuggle. On the other hand, the enemies of Islam continue to deceive the people by saying "Ahbash represents the "Sufi" or "old traditional Islam” that existed in Ethiopia for centuries.” I don't respond to the claim of the enemies of Islam. But I write few words for my sisters and brothers who misunderstand the term "Ahbash" and the true nature of our struggle.

1. "Ahbash" represents a politico- religious faction called "Association of Islamic Charitable Projects" (AICP). It was founded in Beirut in 1983 by the late Ethiopian scholar Sheikh Abdullah Al-Harari Al-Habashi. The Ethiopian origin of the founder of the association gave it the nickname "Ahbash".

2. Members of the group (AICP) are contented by the nickname "Ahbash". So don't take it as a word of insult or contempt. Most of the members of the association say "We are Ahbash". Even one of their websites has the name Ahbash as its domain. (see this website www.ahbash.net )

3. The group claims to follow the school of Imam Shafi'i. But it goes against the tenets of Shafi'i school in many ways.

4. It claims also a proponent of true Sufism. But most of the Sufi orders warned against the group. For example, the Naqshbandiyya order, which is considered the greater Sufi group in the world, has released many “fatwas” against Ahbash. (see the Naqshbandi fatwas on this link.... http://naqshbandi.org/topics/refute/aicp/default.htm )

5. It claims to represent the majority of Muslims. But in reality, it is very small group. In the entire world, it has only half a million followers. In Ethiopia, its followers estimated not to exceed 10,000 people.

6. Many scholars and prominent Islamic Institutions (like Al-Azhar, Medina University etc...) have warned against the Ahbash (AICP) for many reasons such as

·        Their many heretical beliefs and deviances (example: Ahbash teaches that “Asking Allah to forgive all Muslims for all of their sins will make you a disbeliever. This is clearly against the teaching of the Holly Qur’an.)

·        Their disrespect for many of the Sahaba of the prophet (Ahbash openly teaches “Those who rebelled against Caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib are sinners. There is no duty on Muslim to respect such great sinners.” In other words, you can curse or belittle great companions like Al-Zubeyr Ibnul Awwam, Talha ibn Ubeydullah, Aisha bint Abu-Bakr, Moawiya ibn Abu Sufiyan, Amr ibn Al-As, etc… Astaghfirullah!!)

·        Their unlawful “Takfir” against Muslim scholars (For example, Ahbash says the "Imams of Makkah and Madina are Kafirs". Astaghfirullah!!)

·        Their fanatic behavior and intolerance to live with other Muslim groups. (They say all who don’t share their beliefs are not Muslims).

·        Their marching against whom they call "Wahhabiya" and "Hizbul Ikhwan" (They attack only. Muslims. They don't speak about other enemies of Islam)

·        Their forming a conspiracy alliance with enemies of Islam (like the Zionists, the Alewi pagan group of Syria and others).

Accordingly, when we say Ahbash it represents only a group called "Association of Islamic Charitable Projects". We Muslim Ethiopians stand together to combat the group not for its having different views. It can preach its ideologies in peaceful and legal ways. Who oppose it for its high leadership in the illegitimate “Ahbashism Campaign”. What does this campaign looks like?

In April 2008, a combined group of enemies of Islam (USA, Zionists, some authorities in Ethiopian government, Anti-Muslim advocacy groups etc...) enabled the Ahbash faction to monopolize the "Majlis" (Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ethiopia) and started their plot of weakening Islam. After two years (In July 2011), they came up with a carefully planned and well financed project called "Ahbashism Campaign". The aim of the campaign is to indoctrinate all Muslim Ethiopians in the ideology of “Ahbash”. Since then most of Muslim Ethiopians (more than 85 %) opposing the campaign.

We oppose the Ahbashism campaign not only because it is unconstitutional but also it is against all religious, humanitarian and civil laws. It is not different than the campaign of Emperor Suseneyos of Ethiopia in early 17^th century when he tried to make the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians accept the Catholic right forcefully. It is also the same version of the campaign of Emperor Yohaness IV who tried to make Ethiopian Muslims change their faith to Orthodox Christianity. It may be amazing when few people try to enforce a new faith on the majority in the 21^st century. However, we admit that every century has its own Suseneyos and Yohannes who don’t believe in the right of the people.

We ask our freedom of worship. We say no to "Ahbashism Campaign". Asking our right has nothing to do with extremism. Those who call us "extremists who have hidden agenda" for asking our right have a hidden agenda themselves. Their hidden agenda is to disrupt the unity of Muslims; then create a weak Muslim community; then corrupt the true messages and beliefs of Islam; then replace it by a Zionist sponsored version of Islam. But this will never happen. Insha Allah!

We respect the law. We respect the right of others. But we will die for Islam.

Victory is for Islam!!

(Please share this message with your friends).