“The Network of Ethiopian Muslims in Europe condemns this atrocity against peaceful citizens. We recognize the measure taken on April 27, 2012 against peaceful citizens of Asasa town as one of the several massacres committed by the regime and a crime against humanity.” the Network of Ethiopians (NEME), says in its exceptionally strongly-worded statement an indication of the mounting anger.
According to these sources,
the 67 years old cleric in question is an outspoken rejecter of the “Ahbashization campaign”, a name that Muslims given to a country wide indoctrination program with religious ideology based in Lebanon. Muslims accuse the government of pioneering the “Ahbashization campaign” based on foreigners invited from Lebanon, in violation of the constitution.
Many, including Muslims warn that the Asasa killing is a plot to divert the over three month Ethiopian Muslims peaceful protest, and suppress it under “the pretext of terrorism”. Muslims organizations, including Badr and First Hijrah foundation, have however urged the Muslims to maintain their peaceful course in pursue of their constitutional right.