Unwarranted fanfare

The book titled Topia as evaluated by many historians shows a multitude of
concerns with regard to the author’s wild and imaginative side. The time chosen to set
up the stage to emanate unsubstantiated historic lies and fabrications to dilute and to
airbrush Harari history is questionable. It is very saddening to see a platform
supposedly created to undo the harm done in the past especially to the Muslim
communities to have immersed itself in the same dirty ditch echoing the imperial way of
doing business. A tiger never changes its stripes!.
Putting on hold the endemic manipulation our society is currently facing in every
angle, here is part of the message send to the organizers and guest speakers who
participated in the inauguration ceremony to introduce Topia to the public;
Hararis are one of the three major ethnic groups recognized by historians to be
direct descendants from Harla Civilizations. Hararis built a resilient and prosperous
society in the area and through the course of historic time managed to establish a
hierarchy of Islamic kingdom that existed for centuries to which they are still held in
great reverence. As the city flourished, it became a center for islamic learning and also
served as a major destination and transit point for trade and commerce in the
geographic setup that encompasses the Horn of Africa.
The word Harari implies to an indigenous people attached to the city who are
monolithic Muslims and have been dwelling in the city with their distinct culture and
traditions for millennia.
In the late nineteenth century, Harari identity was challenged and partly
destabilized as result of the unjust war waged against Amir Abdullahi’s Kingdom by
Menilik’s forces during the infamous eastward territorial aggrandizement policy on the
battlefields of Chelenko. The war created the first Christian rule over a Muslim land
associated with its unbearable state crime directed on to the citizens in every level. As a
result Hararis were sidelined and systematically alienated from political power by the
central imperial state. This marks the first forced internal and external exodus from the
city to search for a better and safe sanctuary to lead a normal life.
To a proud people who registered a long and very rich history in the region by
standing impervious to any political , economic, social and cultural dilution attempts by
the highland invaders, it is paradoxical to hear speaker after speaker to reference
Hararis repeatedly using occupies nomenclature as Adarae; a term coined by Amahra
elites to undermine the dignity of our society. I hope corrective measures will be
considered in the future, Inshallah