SIASAT

Beyond Medemer: Augmenting Ethiopia's National Dialogue with AI-Assisted Tensor Logic

2026-01-15T02:41:39+00:00

This study dissects Ethiopia's ethno-federal system's fractures through a mixed-methods lens, integrating survey data (n=1,247 stakeholders), interviews (n=89), policy documents (n=892), and network/PCA analyses from 2018 to 2025. Amid the Tigray (2020-2022) and Oromia conflicts, findings reveal stark regional stances: Federal centralism opposes peripheral autonomies (Figure 1 heatmaps, r = 0.62 contexts), with the TPLF isolated (-0.86). It significantly examines the fractures within Ethiopia's ethno-federal system through a mixed-methods lens, integrating survey data (n = 1,247 stakeholders), interviews (n = 89), and policy documents (n = 89,286 influence). Structural variances peak in security (0.398), while PCA extracts three dimensions: centralization-autonomy (32.1%, loadings 0.227-0.245), grievances (21.3%, 0.317-0.321), and security-development (15.0%, 0.262-0.371), explaining 68.4% variance (Table 1). Medemer's unifying philosophy falters with 0.52 gaps, rhetoric-reality divergences (r = -0.68), credibility erosions (0.50 reconciliation), polarized sentiments (+0.200 official vs. -0.050 international, Figure 8), and challenging interdependencies (density = 0.42). Limiting factors heatmap reds in legacies (0.85) and elites (0.90, Figure 10), with networks cascading EPRDF rigidities (centrality=0.82); random forests rank inclusivity (0.684) over ethnic conflicts (0.236). Conflict frameworks apply moderately (0.52) but have a low effect (0.41, Figure 13), favoring transformative hybrids; interventions cluster into quick wins (0.70 short-term DDR) and sustainable reforms (0.65 long-term federalism). Ethically, techno-solutionism risks epistemic erasure, demanding local ownership (Gadaa +22%). Implications urge sequenced hybrids: short-term dialogues, medium reforms, long transformations, and forecasting 28% efficacy gains. Ethiopia's case models adaptive federalism for divided societies, transcending legacies toward civic synergy.

The Importance of Religion and Spiritually Oriented Knowledge in the Lives of Generation Z

2026-01-31T02:19:41+00:00

The rapid advancement of science and technology in the modern era has profoundly influenced human life, particularly Generation Z, who have grown and developed within a digital ecosystem. While these developments offer significant opportunities for accessing information and improving quality of life, they also give rise to various challenges, including a crisis of life meaning, moral degradation, and a weakening of spiritual awareness. This article aims to examine the importance of integrating religion and spiritually oriented knowledge as a foundational framework for character and personality development among Generation Z. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, this study is based on a literature review, philosophical analysis, and a normative-spiritual perspective. The findings indicate that religion and science are inherently interconnected and mutually reinforcing, contributing to the formation of a holistic human being balanced in reason, conscience, and action. Such integration is particularly relevant for Generation Z in navigating the complexities of the modern era without losing transcendental values and humanistic principles.

Conflict of Understanding of Wahabi-Salafi Creed and Sharia and the Aswaja Tarekat in North Sumatra: The Challenge of Religious Moderation in Indonesia

2026-01-29T03:28:28+00:00

This study aims to examine the roots of religious conflict among Islamic groups and to formulate conflict-mitigation strategies through intensive dialogue and mutual understanding. This research employs a qualitative approach combining literature review and fieldwork. Data were collected from scholarly journals and books, in-depth interviews with Islamic scholars and preachers affiliated with Wahhabi-Salafi movements and tarekat communities, as well as Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on issues of aqidah and shari‘ah. Field research was conducted in several regions of North Sumatra, including Stabat, Binjai, Medan, and Deli Serdang. The findings reveal fundamental differences in theological concepts and interpretations of Islamic law between Wahhabi-Salafi groups and Sufi-tarekat communities. These differences are particularly evident in the interpretation of mutashabihat verses, where Wahhabi-Salafi adherents tend to avoid or reject ta’wil, while scholars of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah tradition advocate ta’wil to preserve the transcendence of Allah and to avoid anthropomorphic understandings. In the domain of Shari‘ah, Wahhabi-Salafi groups generally reject religious practices that are not explicitly performed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whereas tarekat scholars-predominantly following the Shafi‘i school recognize the concept of bid‘ah hasanah in subsidiary aspects of ritual worship. Overall, the study indicates that the Sufi-tarekat approach in North Sumatra demonstrates a more moderate and accommodative orientation compared to Wahhabi-Salafi interpretations, underscoring the importance of dialogical engagement grounded in Islamic moderation for reducing religious tensions.

The Use of Sign Language in News Presentations for Hearing Impaired Viewers to Promote Sustainable and Inclusive Media

2026-01-31T04:20:53+00:00

Inclusive media create a platform for all audiences, including persons with disabilities especially those with hearing impairment challenge. It is against this backdrop this study investigates the use of sign language in news presentations to promote sustainable and inclusive media for the hearing impaired at Wesley School, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. The objectives were to: investigate the types of stations that use sign language and their impact on deaf viewers, evaluate how sign language in new presentation helps deaf viewers at Wesley school access information and suggest ways to improve the use of sign language in Nigerian news for inclusivity and overcome accessibility challenges. The study utilized a survey targeting 200 members at Wesley Schools, including students, teachers, parents, and staff who rely on Nigerian Sign Language. The sample size of 200 participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using qualitative analysis to capture opinions and experiences. Findings revealed that integrating Nigerian Sign Language in news presentation significantly enhances comprehension among deaf viewers. The study also found that accessible news formats foster sustained engagement and social inclusion, with long-term benefits including increased participation in civic and community activities. The study concluded that consistent sign language used in news presentations is essential for inclusivity, recommending that Sign-interpreted news must be introduced to the curriculum of hearing-impaired schools to promote understanding and involvement in the media literacy process. It is the responsibility of regulatory institutions to agree on using sign language or sign language interpretation in televised news as a norm in inclusive communication. Television stations need to have a culture of allocating sign language interpreters whenever it comes to delivering news to its viewers regularly in order to give the deaf population a chance to access important information, particularly relating to health and government policies.