Religious leaders urged students of institutions of higher learning yesterday to refrain from activities that harm the country.

They also stressed that religious institutions should teach the value of peace to their followers and contribute their share towards developing the culture of dialogue in resolving problems.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Education Training Department Head at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Aba Serekeberhan Woldesamuel said students of institutions of higher learning should present their demands in a peaceful and civilized manner.

“The church always preaches peace and expects its followers to practice this in their day to day lives,” he added.

Therefore, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church calls on its follower students in higher institutions to resolve problems in dialogue and not to be instruments of evil elements that have hidden agendas, Aba Serekeberhan noted.

Even the movement of people in their daily lives will be curtailed where there is no peace, the Head said, adding that this is the reason which motivates the Church to preach about peace ceaselessly.

Ethiopian Muslim Affairs Supreme Council President, Sheikh Mohammed Aman Jemal called on his part upon the Muslim community to guard and maintain peace in order to sustain the development of the country.

Peace has a prominent place in the Holy Quran, he said, adding that “we should not therefore disrupt the peace Allah blessed us with and trespass His commandment. Muslims have to abide by this basic principle.”

The President warned those in institutions of higher learning not to be misled by unconfirmed information disseminated on social media.

He further revealed that religious heads have been working along with institutions of higher learning to help students present their demands appropriately.

The President underscored that this is the time for all the faiths to teach the public about peace and stabilize the situation.