Harar (HAN)  July 19, 2006 -- The UN Paris based,  UNESCO recognized The Walled City of the medieval time. Harar, seen as the fourth holiest city of Islam, includes 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th Century, and 102 shrines. The city walls were built between the 8th and 9th Centuries by the late Aw Abadir of Fiqi Omar Sheikhash Tribe (The largest known tribe of the Horn of Africa; They Speak Oromo, Somali, harari and Afar). 

The Kingdom of Aw Abadir people established their political dynasty in Harar. In the history of Harar about seventy two Amirs from Fiqi Omar Tribe were regretted. The first Amir was called Amir Haboba Ibn Harar (969-1000AD). The administrative system of the Amirs was a tribal federation among the people of Harari,Somali, Oromo, Afar and Argoba. The famous ruler and among best remembered Amirs of Harar was Amir Nur Ibn Alwazir Mujahid who came to marry his uncle's widow in a plan to revenge against king Galawdewos. Achieving his goal, Amir Nur defeated and beheaded king Galawdewos at the battle his head to display in Harar. Then commediatly, Amir Nur became king of Harar. 

Amir Nur Ibn Alwazir was destined to become one of Harar's best remembered rulers. He was responsible for the construction of the great wall around the city of Harar in 1551-1552. This defensive wall, commonly known as jugal was 3342 meters in circumference, an average of twelve feet high and three feet thick. 

The economic base of the Harar Islamic Kingdom, in addition to agriculture, were trade, cottage Industry and taxation. Different kinds of raw materials were exported and manufactured goods. Jewelry, etc. were imported. To deal with domestic as well as foreign trades, The Harar government used to mint its own coins in the medieval period known as "Mahalak". More than twenty different coins were minted by respective Amirs. Therefore, in the history of Ethiopia, Harari coins were the first coins next to Axumite ones. 
Other factors that possibly existed were an appropriate land tenure system which allowed private ownership of land coupled with public ownership vested in agents like the Awach (shrine center with democratically elected directors) and the waqfi administration system. Some of this center are still in existence through out the rural areas, but have lost control of public resources. To mention a few Aw Umar, Aw sofi Yahya, Aw Barkadle, etc. were agents for the management of public lands.

Harar is an ancient walled Ethiopia city. Possessing as many as 99 Mosques, Harar is considered to be the fourth holy city of Islam. In Ethiopia as Axum was the window for Christianity, Harar is the same for Islam. The Harar Settlements in the Horn of Africa are believed to have existed some 1200 years back and the tribe is identified as Punt tribe, from which the Hararis are believed to have emerged. Different settlement site are postulated around Harar, such as Dakar, Malka, before the establishment of the walled city of Harar some 10 centuries ago. Though Harar town is refereed to as a medieval town, (after the construction of the wall) the city was established some 1000 years back. A simple proof is the age of the "Jumma Meskid"1 of Harar town which is over 800 years old or perhaps more and believed to have been built during the reign of Awe Abadir. The fact that such a huge mosque was built, indicates that there was demand for it i.e. it was needed to accommodate the people already living in the town. The size of the mosque indicates the existence of the town long before the construction of the Jumma Mosque for Friday prayer, as the rule of Islam, such a mosque is not required for people living in scattered settlement. Hence, from this facts, it is not difficult to conclude that Harfar town existed before 1000 years, before the expansion and growth of Harar to became the capital of the then national government. According to some legend, there is a saying of the "Sati Geyach"2 which is an indication that there were similar settlements around Harar before Harar attained the status of a center of political decision, center of learning, and commerce with a link to the trade route between the Zeyla port to the west and south of Harar as far as the Bale region.

To express the highest respect and appreciation to the ancestors, who have been able to use successfully and sustainable their resources (both natural and human) and transmitted to us (the present generation) the national heritage along with " live" monuments, that are recognized world-wide are registered by UNESCO, as a heritage of the world and of man-kind. Indeed, the ancient Harari’s deserve due appreciation as they have left us, their hands work and the resources they developed. 
It is time to make aware the current generation that the endangered resources, Such as the Jugal and other monuments with their unique social, spiritual, cultural elements require due attention. Conservation strategy is a means to alleviate such environmental and resource degradation problems. 

The wall of Harar is locally known as the Jegol, The old city cramped within its ancient walls, the new extending freely. The walls are believed to have commenced by Ibn al Wazir Mujahid Nur, a nephew of Ahmed Gragn, who is said to have dug a defensive trench around the town. 
The wall is pierced by six gateways, five of them derived from ancient times, though the original gates are no more Harar as a modern urban center has different kinds of people. These people have different language and different ways of dressing. 

In the eight and ninth centuries, the Central city of Harar became the most important city. Mogadishu, Merca, Awdal and Baraawe, had been major Somali coastal towns in medieval times. Their origins are unknown, but by the fourteenth century travelers from Europe were mentioning the towns more and more as important centers of urban ease and learning. Harar is known for its turmoil and bloodshed. Ahmed Gragn replaced Abu Beker Mohammed (Fiqi Omar) who was the ruler of Harar.

He was killed by Emperor Gelawdewos in a Battle near Lake Tana in 1543. The raids continued against the Christians led by Ahmed Gragn's widow Bati Del Wambara. In 1559, Emperor Gelawdewos marched on Harar with the aim to eradicate the constant religious sectarianism taking place. Gelawdewos was killed in a battle and his head was paraded around the city on a stake. In 1647, Emir Ali ibn Daud (The families of Sheikh Liban-fiqi Omar) took control the city and established an autonomous administration. Despite the continuous fighting with Amhara tribes, Harar expanded; it became well populated, an important city for trade and a centre of Muslim scholarship. It issued its own currency. After 250 years of autonomous rule, Othman Empire occupied Harar Islamic Kingdom and replaced the Emir in 1875. The Abyssinian action created a strong resistance in the Muslim community of Harar Empire. Emir Abdullah took control and led a campaign against the Abyssinian, which ended in 1885.

In 1887, Harar lost its autonomy when Menelik, Prince of Shewa, who later became Emperor of Abyssinia in 1889, waged war against the army of Emir Abdullah. Menelik defeated the Emir at the Battle of Chelenko in 1887. Menelik then established a new administration, including several members of the emir's family to prevent renewed religious sectarianism, headed by Ras Mekonnen, the father of Emperor Haile Selassie. Harar then began to disintegrate and lost its status as a trade centre in the end of nineteenth century when the railway line was built between Addis Ababa and Djibouti through Dire Dawa. From 1902, Dire Dawa became the main commercial centre of Ethiopia. However, Harar remained as the spiritual City of Ethiopia's Muslim community, the political capital of Hararge Province until 1994 and has become a federal city-state since 1995.

Harar: The Center of Traditional schooling

Traditional schooling continues as always in a small village, where boys and girls recite verses from the Koran. Nearly all Somalis are Muslims, but this unity of faith has seldom led to political unity (Islamic Kingdom of Harar -led by Sheikh Omar Rida and Sheikh Yusuf Kawniin -Aw Barkhadle). Islam reached different parts of the horn of Africa at different times and in different ways, led by: East, South of Somalia, Sheikh Ahmad (Loboge) and Osman (Gandarshe); North, West, Aw-Qudub and sons; Hararghe, Sheikh Ali (Liban); united its followers. An Islamic revival in recent years has so far failed to bring Somalis together. In the south, where fighting among rival clans continues. -Islam spread to the west, north, east and West of the Horn of Africa mainly the Harar region, which was established by Sultan Abu Beker Mohammed in 1520 and became the Holy City for the Muslims. Harar also became an important city for trade, famous for its Islamic architecture such as the City Walls and a centre of Muslim scholarship thought the nations and nationalities of Abyssinia, Somalia, Afar, oromo, Amhara, Sawahil and others. 

HAN Bulletin is your independent, online intelligence resource edited and published by the regional political historian, veteran newsman and founder of www.geeskaafrika.com (Geeska Afrika Online 1985). Each week he taps his vast network of international intelligence sources to bring you credible insights into geo-political and geo-strategic developments for the Horn of Africa.  Contact at  nurkafi@geeskaafrika.com  (Managing Editor/Publisher).