(ADDIS ABABA, July 21, 2012,(Reuters)--Ethiopian police clashed on Saturday with
scores of Muslims protesters complaining that the state is interfering
in their religion, witnesses and officials said.
The protesters, some wearing masks, blocked the entrance of the Anwar Mosque in the west of the capital Addis Ababa and hurled stones at riot police who had surrounded the compound after noon prayers. "Police broke inside the mosque and arrested many people, including several members of the (protest organising) committee.
They also fired teargas at protesters outside," said an activist who declined to be named for fear of reprisals. Another witness said he had seen empty tear gas canisters strewn on the ground. It was not immediately possible to verify these reports. Thousands of Muslims have staged sporadic street protests in the capital since late last year, arguing that the government is promoting an alien branch of Islam, the Al Ahbash sect, which is avowedly apolitical and has numerous adherents in the United States.
The government denies promoting Al Ahbash, but is determined to prevent Islamic militancy spilling over from neighbouring Sudan or lawless Somalia. Read more from The Star »
The protesters, some wearing masks, blocked the entrance of the Anwar Mosque in the west of the capital Addis Ababa and hurled stones at riot police who had surrounded the compound after noon prayers. "Police broke inside the mosque and arrested many people, including several members of the (protest organising) committee.
They also fired teargas at protesters outside," said an activist who declined to be named for fear of reprisals. Another witness said he had seen empty tear gas canisters strewn on the ground. It was not immediately possible to verify these reports. Thousands of Muslims have staged sporadic street protests in the capital since late last year, arguing that the government is promoting an alien branch of Islam, the Al Ahbash sect, which is avowedly apolitical and has numerous adherents in the United States.
The government denies promoting Al Ahbash, but is determined to prevent Islamic militancy spilling over from neighbouring Sudan or lawless Somalia. Read more from The Star »
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