Ahmad Taqi Sheikh Mohammed Rashid

Ahmad Taqi Sheikh Mohammed Rashid was a son of the Prominent Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Sheikh Bilal. His Mother was Mariyam Ahmad Hajji Salih. He was born on May 14, 1940 at a place called Chirrati (Balbaleti) in Eastern Ethiopia, Habro District, and Harerghe Province. He was the third child in his family. In his early ages, He learned Islamic Education and Oromo History from His Father. Being well educated and well known his father could spread his beliefs even if the then regime banes such a nationalist thought.

When he was only 15 He moved to Gelemso town. With elder Brother Muteki Sheikh Mohammed (Mutttaqi Sheek Muhammad. He lived there by working on wholesaling and Coffee trading Business. Through his career, he used to Support Poor men and Specially Students of the Area.

Latter on, He came to Know General Taddese Birru, the prominent Oromo nationalist and one of the founders of Mecha and Tulama Association, and who was under house arrest at that time. Tadesse and Ahmad Taqi began to teach the people that they have a right just equal to that of the landlords of the area. While he travels to Dire Dawa Town and Addis Ababa (Finfine), He was known by famous Oromo nationalist Like, Baro Tumsa, Jarra Abba Gada, and Ali Birra.

Lastly, the Haile Selassie regime was attacked by the 1974 Revolution. Ahmed Taqi has brought Taddese Birru to Addis Ababa by night helping him to escape the house arrest. And at his stay in Addis Ababa, He came to know the famous fighter Elemo Kiltu (aka. Hasan Ibrahim). Elemo told him the idea of coming to Gelemso and Ahmad Taqi accepted it.

In May 1974, Elemo went to Gelemso, and made necessary arrangements to launch the armed struggle against the oppressing regime of Haile Selassie. He Visited Sheikh Mohammed Rashid, the father of Ahmad Taqi, and the Sheik advised him to begin the struggle at a place called Guba Qoricha (50 Km north of Gelemso).

Elemo went with an Army of 19 persons to Guba Qoricha. In June 1974. Then he and his forces started to take measures against the rural landlords. They fight against the defenders of Mulatu Tegen. The guards of Mulatu Killed Hajji Adem Khorchee instantly. The rebels killed Mulatu Tegegn, a notorius landlord at a place called Hardim. The dead body of Mulatu was brought of Glemso. The Supporters of the government were very angry and they vowed revenge. Government starts to detain suspects for the case. Ahmed Taqi was one of the suspects as he used to preach national Pride and Self governance for the Oromos.

Ahmad Taqi escaped the arrest, and went to join The Oromo freedom army led by Elemo. As he he was a merchant, he went with handful of money that might support the army for living needs. He met Elemo at a place called Bubbee(33 Km away from Gelemso town on the top of Bubbe mountain).The necessary arrangements were made on the leadership. Elemo was chosen as the Chairperson and Ahmed Taqi was made the commander of the Army.

The army began more actions, more war and more resistance against the Government forces. Ahmed Taqi was given a nickname Hundee by the army. But the name has long been used by his father. The Military Junta of the "Dergue" who seized power from Haileselassie sent an army led by General Getachew Shibeshi. At the presence of the public, the then administrator of Harerghe, Colonel Zelleke Beyyene, Vowed to destroy Gelemso if He could not Kill Ahmad Taqi.. The Search of both continued. And finally, on August 26 both armies met each at Tiro(26 Km South East of Gelemso).

They started to fight each other. They fought each half of the day and Ahmad Taqi was killed at a noon. Then Elemo Took leadership and fought the government forces with his few men. They fought until the sunset. But finally, the government could manage to Kill Elemo by Mortar. Only two persons of his army could escape the raid. One of them is still alive.

The General ordered the dead body of Ahmed Taqi to be brought to Gelemso. Then he Show it to the public putting it on high elevated Landrorver Van. He said" Any Body who says I am an Oromo, will be Killed like this". He arrested 72 well known Merchants from Gelemso, Boke, Baddessa Wachu, Mechara, and Chiro(Asbetefrei) including three brothers of Ahmed Taqi(Hundee).

The father of Ahmed Taqi heard the martyrdom of his son and said " My son is not dead. His blood is a seed to the future Freedom of the Oromos. A seed will be a big tree one day". So Ahmed Taqi is still known when the Oromo Freedom Struggle is remembered.

The famous singer Ali Birra made him immortal by singing for him. In his Song Ali Birra Says " Yaa Hundee Bareeda Yaa Finxee Midhagaa".

Ahmed Taqi was never married. But He has so many relatives and fans, including his elder brother Muteki Sheikh Mohammed. (This article is contributed by former friend of Ahmad Taqi Ihsan Sami Al-Siddiqi, Istanbul, Turkey)