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By Tedla Desta - Capital
26 July, 2007
Peace Ethiopia Messenger of Peace Youth Association (PEMPYA) in its millennium recognition program, held on Wednesday 19 July, 2007, awarded Sheik Mohammed Al-Alamoudi, making him the only business person to receive this award.
“As the owner of several manufacturing corporations, he has created many job opportunities. Moreover, his unreserved charity indicates his passion for his country and compatriots” the statement read during the Sheik’s award explained.
On the event, prominent politicians and religious figures were also awarded.
Yared Girma, President of the Association, said, “Our organization believes a new spirit of social and economic progress has energized Ethiopia.To enhance and intensify the ongoing processes, we believe it is relevant to reward celebrities for their outstanding contributions in the process.”
“We focused on peace, development and democracy and tried to include personalities such as government officials, opposition members, religious leaders and pioneers” Yared said. A young man attending the ceremony, however, noted that all the individuals awarded were either government officials or religious leaders, with no members of the opposition included.
The list of people awarded includes: First Lady Azeb Mesfin, Dr.Sheik Mohammed Hussein Al-Almoudi, Arkebe Ekubay, Mayor Berhane Deressa, Abune Paulos (Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church), Abune Berhaneyesus (Ethiopian Catholic Church), Reverend Etefa Gobena (President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Eyesus), Sheik Elias Redwan (Vice President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council) and the NGO, Norwegian Church Aid.