Salafi movement
In January 2012 to August 2013, the city Addis Ababa was swarmed with protests by Muslim demonstrators because of the alleged government enforced al-Ahbash campaigns that they Muslims viewed it as an interference in religious affairs by the regime. The protests sparked concern within the regime of what looked like “extremism,” a concept that is accredited with the Salafi movement. Within the regime, local, and international observers are claiming that Salafi “extremists” are wanting to gain political power to turn Ethiopia into an Islamic State. Others have argued that Ethiopian Salafis are reluctant and opposed to getting involved in politics. Due to the expansion of the Salafi movement it has brought up intense debates over religious symbols and rituals, intrinsic to Ethiopian Islam.