Harar City is 55kms from East of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia: a onetime Muslim city state and the capital city of the Horn during the reign of Imam Ahmed, known as Mohammad Gragn – 1550‘s.Yet to identify, according, to the contemporary world historian’s deduction: Harar is a 7th century – constructed city. Besides, Harar was both a trading and learning (Islamic studies) center of the Horn until its 21st January, 1887, conquest by Menelik 2nd of Ethiopia.

Among the ancient and historic cities of Ethiopia, Harar is the only and unique walled-city in the region. The wall was built with five gates and outlets around it by its most celebrated Amir, the nephew of Gragn, called Amir Nur Ibnu Mujahid around 1560’s. Oral tradition tells that the construction of the wall to have been accomplished within ten to twelve years. The town of Harar was the seat of an amirate which, although small in size; was noted as a center of trade and Islamic learning on the Horn of Africa.

The area of the walled city is 48 hectares. As it is simple and small in size, Harar is very rich in what it reveals and narrates. Harar is a mirror that reflects the images of historic past and the inception of the city as well. Be it so, a condensed history of Harar can be stated as follows:To begin with, the government of Harar was the Amir, and according to the written documents so far obtained the following facts should be mentioned;

Periods of Harari  Emirates : 979 – 1886 A.D, Chronological list of Harar Emirates, at our disposals contains 73 Amirs, so far classified coins of Different Amirs: from 40 – 50 types of coins.

Harar minted her own coin. The name of the respective Amir on one face, and the word “Doribat fi Harar” on the other face is meaning minted in Harar on the other face of the coin.In his book, First Footsteps in East Africa or An Exploration of Harar, Sir Richard Button has written the following remarks concerning the coins of Harar during his stay for ten days at Harar, in the 1850`s. The coin of Harar is called Mahallaq and its unit follows:

* 20 Mahallaks are worth 1 Grush
* 12 Grush are worth 1 Miskal
* 4 Miskal are worth 1 Wakiyah (ounce)

Another historian M. Abir, in his book Ethiopia the Era of the princes, has this to say in supporting the above mentioned statements:“Harar was still at the beginning of the 19th century the most important Islamic center in the area. The town boasted many mosques and a great number of shrines of venerated saints (Awliya) who were supposedly the protectors of the town and its people.” As Burton, during 1850’s, stayed for ten days in Harar, the French poet Arthur Rimbaud lived in Harar, as if it was his second home, for ten years: 1883/4 – 1993/4.

Since the introduction of Islam to Harar dates back to the inception of Islam, the walled city of Harar boasts for having 90 Mosques and many hundreds of saints and shrines. Precisely because of this fact, the city is known as Madinet Al-Awlia meaning the city of Saints.Furthermore, Harar being far away from the sea and located in the interior of the Horn, it traded with the outsiders through the seaports of Zeila’ and Barbara. Due to its commercial activity, these ports were known and called as the two seaports of Harar during the historic reign of Emirates.

So this is Harar. Harar is a city with many names. Such as:

Gei: - meaning the city as the natives calls it. Adare: - As called by the Oromos and Somalis. Harar: - By the Amharas and other Ethiopians, Arabs and Europeans. Hurrur: - Affars and some African countries. Jugal: - meaning the walled city or Harar according to the natives. Jabal AL- Awliya: - mountain of saints by mystics. AW Abadir Gei: - city of Abadir (Sufism) world.

In addition, visiting sites of Harar that can enlighten your soul are as follows:

Amir Nur: - the tomb of the Amir, who built the wall, Located in the northern sect of the city. Gei madrasa: - The Muslim school of Harar. Established in 1930 A.D .it is said to be the first community school. Established in the Horn & East Africa. Ethnographic Museum of Harar: - Established by the Natives during the Derg-military Regime around 1980’s. Located behind The main Muslim School. Dini Gobana: - Observatory posts so that you can quench the thirst of sightseeing and Viewing a short walk from the museum. Abadir:-the patron of the city, located in the southern quarter of the city. The shrine of Abadir. Gideer magala: - the big market of the town, located in the center of the city, during its crowded and colorful session i.e. in the Afternoon. Makina girgir: - named from the sound of singer sewing machine, a bazaar lane (street) that joins gideer magala and farass magala (Horse market) in the city center. Gei Hamburti: - meaning the nave of the city and two points should be mentioned the foundation stone to construct this city:-Decression and construction of the wall was also patrolled here.

To conclude, hoping you have had by now your one round of the wall from the outside, in a day of your stay in the city, you can consummate your enjoyment by having a bird’s eye view of the city on the top of AW Hakim Mountain that fenced the city from southern side. From this overview, you will realize once again that Harar is a city caught in a warp of time, where the past never dies.