By The World Ambassador TWA ______ The Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad has celebrated the Ethiopian New Year 2017 with national zeal and fervor in presence of the Federal Ministers, Government Officials, Diplomatic Corps, Business and Religious Community, Ethiopian Diaspora Media and the Civil Society. The celebrations were held in the Federal Capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan—Islamabad, and its business and cultural hub—Karachi.

A famous Ethiopian Troupe Biftu Oromia joined from Ethiopia in these celebrations and gave stunning performances with their melodious traditional songs and cultural dance not only on the eve of the Ethiopian New Year in Karachi, but also in Islamabad on September 11th. The Embassy would like to express its gratitude to its major collaborators including the Governor House Sindh, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bukhari Groups, AirSial, Pakistan Ethiopia Business Council and COMSTECH. The celebrations, coupled with the Ethiopian cultural performances, manifests the growing collaborations of the two countries. In Karachi, the new year celebrations and cultural performances were held at the Governor House and the Residence of Honorary Consul of Ethiopia in Karachi H.E. Ibrahim Khalid Tawab amid the presence Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula, Special Envoy and Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan and other high-profile guests including UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan Mohamed Yahya, Karachi Port Trust Chairman Syed Syedain Raza Zaidi, former Minister for Commerce and Industry Khalid Tawab and others. The new year celebrations also held in Islamabad which was followed by the traditional songs and dance from Amhara, Oromo, Somali, Afar, Tigray, southern part of Ethiopia and other culturally diverse areas. Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the cultural troupe of Ethiopia who enthralled an audience of more than 500 individuals from all walk of life at its auditorium.

Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, Culture and National Heritage Attaullah Tarar graced the occasion as a chief guest, while Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Human Resource Development, Religious Affairs and Inter-faith harmony, H.E Salik Hussain was the guest of honor. Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hamid Asghar Khan, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, and Pakistan Africa Association Chairman H.E. Zafar Bakhtawari were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the New Year Celebration Ceremony, Ambassador Dr. Jemal Beker expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Pakistan for joining the Ethiopian Embassy Islamabad in the New Year Celebrations and appreciating the Ethiopian cultural diversity. He explained the audience about Ethiopian distinct feature of having its own calendar which is seven years behind the Gregorian Calendar and falls on September 11th or 12th during a leap year. The Ambassador said Ethiopia has its own calendar with 13 months with each of the 12 months has 30 days along with the 13th month which has five days or six during each leap year. Dr. Jemal Beker said the Ethiopian New Year—Enkutatash gives a message of hope and optimism that drives the Ethiopian nation towards peace and prosperity. Both the Federal Ministers and the ICCI President also addressed the gathering and congratulated the Government and people of Ethiopia on their New Year 2017. In addition to traditional clothes, the Ethio-Pakistan Fraternity Awards were also distributed among the chief guests, the ICCI President and the Pakistan Africa Association on the occasion. A two-year book on the Ethiopian Embassy Diplomatic Journey in Islamabad was also launched on the occasion.