For a while now I've been really curious about Oriental Orthodoxy, and especially Ethiopian Orthodoxy. It is amazing that Christianity starts off as an African / Middle Eastern religion but that the forms of Christianity which originate in MENA cultures (Coptic, Ethiopian Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, etc.) are considered heretical by the majority. Ostensibly, this is because these churches rejected to Council of Chalcedon of 451 CE and developed a subtly different Christology.
In particular, I have started to wonder if, from an Islamic perspective, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church should be thought of as having a special status among the People of the Book.
One of the main inspirations for this notion is the story of the Muslim emigrants who sought asylum in Ethiopia from the Negus Ashama. Muhammad (saaws) himself called this Christian Negus a righteous king, had the Negus represent him in a marriage and even led his funeral prayer.
(Scene from the film "The Messenger")
Al Hakam: King Negus: The Holy Prophet’s representative and true follower
An Ethiopian Journal: First Hijra
To be continued...
