Harar: City of Wonders

A sample of a Harari living room. I took this picture at Sheikh abadir's family home.  

Each step taken within the ancient walled city of Harar is a humbling experience. The Harari’s warm hospitality, their old-fashioned robust local market exchange, taste for vivid and vibrant colors with high regard for intellectual philosophy will leave any visitor mesmerized. Strolling between centuries old ancient architectural structures and narrow alleyways, visitors are quickly reminded the city has refused to be defined only by its fascinating past. 

Read the full version of my Nothing But Equality Op-Ed column on Addis Fortune here published on Mar 29, 2015. Or simply click the following http://addisfortune.net/columns/harar-city-of-wonders/

A restored old house that belonged to the French fugitive poet Arthur Rimbaud, now serving as a museum. 

  

Cheers,

Daniel 

Sexual Harassment in Ethiopia

Sexual harassment is so pervasive here in Ethiopia. Almost every day, we are bound to witness young women being harassed by men in our beautiful Ethiopia. Our women continue to endure constant disrespect and unsavory sexual harassment. Different women deal with it differently, yet somehow, they seem to courageously persevere through it all.

Read the full version of my Nothing But Equality Op-Ed column on Addis Fortune here published on Mar 23, 2015. Or simply click the following http://addisfortune.net/columns/nothing-but-equality/ 

Cheers, 
Daniel

In Favour of Public Parks

www.skyscrapercity.com

Many policymakers perceive public parks as being too luxurious to be considered as developmental priorities. Not only can parks be self-sustaining, they can be revenue generating public goods. For that to happen, however, policymakers must understand the holistic nature of development, and how parks indirectly generate money to public coffers.

The obligation to advocate and create awareness about the positive effect parks and recreation sites have on society, however, falls on citizens. Citizens should collectively demand their leaders to prioritise parks and recreation sites.

Read the full version of my Op-Ed column on Addis Fortune here published on Mar 8, 2015. Or simply click the following http://addisfortune.net/columns/in-favour-of-public-parks/

Article #2, Clash of Cultures

Increasing cross-border movement of people comes with cultural collisions. It is clearly evident here in Addis Ababa, as is in other major cities around the world. These cultural collisions at times create confusion, misunderstanding and resentment between the locals and foreign expatriates or even the locals and the Diasporas returnees.

Read the full version of my Op-Ed column on Addis Fortune here published on Mar 1, 2015. Or simply click the following http://addisfortune.net/columns/clash-of-cultures/

Cheers,

Daniel