Artist Tigist lover speaks

"Green footprint is a demonstration of unity and solidarity!!"

The Assembly of Religious Institutions of Addis Ababa, in cooperation with the Addis Ababa Peace and Tranquility Management Office, with the financial support of the Ethiopian Bible Association, carried out a sapling planting program of 2,000 saplings at Gulele Botanical Center today.

According to the General Secretary of Addis Ababa Religious Institutions Assembly, Pastor Tamrat Abegaz, this year, our assembly has been planning to plant 500,000 saplings.

The main secretary said that the saplings that religious institutions have come out and planted together today is very meaningful as it is the place where we can strengthen our unity and togetherness and teach others.

The Archbishop of Addis Ababa and Gurage Diocese and Chairman of the Board of Addis Ababa Religious Institutes Assembly, Blessed Abune Melchizedek, said this planting of saplings is a sacred act. Doing good deeds is one of the things that the Creator has ordered us to do. He said that our assembly has been planting green footprint saplings during the fiscal year in addition to peace value building, social work, house renovation of the weak.

President of Addis Ababa Islamic Affairs High School and Chairman of the Board of Addis Ababa Religious Institutes Assembly, Sheikh Sultan Aman, ordered us to beautify the environment by planting saplings. He said that even if a person is on the verge of death, he should plant the sapling in his hand.

Head of Addis Ababa Peace and Security Administration Office, Dr. Kenaa Yadeta, said that Addis Ababa Religious Institutions Assembly is playing a significant role in peace building, social works and development works in our city. Radical nationalism is not beneficial to anyone, so he conveyed his message to educate his devotees to take part in such good deeds.

Various religious leaders, including senior government officials and more than 1,000 devotees of various denominations participated in the sapling planting program.