Tigrayan Orthodox Church declares Axum ‘holy town,’ plans restrictions on alcohol and khat

The Tigrayan Orthodox Tewahedo Church Synod has announced that the town of Axum will be designated the “Holy Axum of St. Mary of Zion,” according to church statements.

Following the decision, the church said it plans to introduce a set of religiously oriented regulations, including a ban on the sale of liquor and khat in the town, as well as measures intended to preserve and publicly display symbols of holiness.

The secretary general of the Tigray Synod, Abune Argawi, said that the town of Axum has long been referred to as the “Holy City,” and explained that the current decision would make that designation official.

The move comes amid growing tensions over competing religious claims in the historic town. Some Muslim groups have been campaigning for permission to build a mosque in Axum, a proposal strongly opposed by Christian leaders.

Muslims in Axum have mobilized under the banner “Justice for Aksum Muslims,” calling for the right to construct a mosque in the town and to publicly broadcast the call to prayer.

The Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council says Muslim girls are being “threatened, arrested, and pressured by police” to remove their headscarves, a situation it claims has forced some students to stay home and miss classes.

The council further alleges that Muslims in Axum have long faced systemic discrimination, including being denied access to burial sites and permission to build a mosque, leaving some to perform prayers in open public spaces.