Eighty-six young Guyanese and their guardians on Monday took part in the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Harmony Tour of Demerara, visiting a range of religious, cultural and historical sites across Georgetown. The group comprised 50 children accompanied by 36 guardians and was led by members of the ERC, including Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack, Deputy Chairman Charles Ogle and Commissioners Norris Whitter, Ras Khafra, Reverend Rodwell Porter, Chandrowtie Sarran and Dwayne Adams.
The Harmony Tour, organised in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is intended to expose young Guyanese to the country’s diverse faiths, cultures and histories through direct visits to significant sites. The tour began at the Botanical Gardens and the Place of the Seven Ponds before taking participants to several places of worship and heritage sites. It concluded at the 1823 Monument on Carifesta Avenue. In opening remarks, Ogle said the initiative provided an opportunity for participants to gain experiences that could not be obtained solely through classroom learning.
“While we may learn in school about the names and traditions of the various religions practiced in Guyana, we do not often get the opportunity to visit these places and experience first-hand the richness and diversity of our faiths and cultures,” he said.
Ogle said the tour also highlighted the common experiences shared by Guyanese despite differences in religion, ethnicity and culture. “We share the same country, the same history and the same hopes for a peaceful and prosperous Guyana,” he said. Hack, meanwhile, emphasised the role of religious education in promoting tolerance and mutual respect. He said understanding the beliefs and practices of other communities could help young people become ambassadors for harmony within their families, schools and communities.
The religious component of the tour included visits to St George’s Cathedral, the Radha Krishna Mandir at Camp and Quamina Streets, Queenstown Jama Masjid on Church Street and Sacred Heart Church on Main Street. At each place of worship, representatives of the respective faith communities introduced participants to their beliefs, practices and customs. The children were also briefed on appropriate courtesies before entering each site. The tour also highlighted the country’s ethnic and cultural heritage.
Indigenous heritage was featured through visits to the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology and the Umana Yana, while African heritage and the struggle for freedom were represented at the 1763 Monument at the Square of the Revolution, the 1823 Monument and the African Liberation Monument at Kingston. Indian heritage was highlighted at the Indian Arrival Monument on Camp Street and the Mahatma Gandhi Monument in the Promenade Gardens. Sacred Heart Church represented Portuguese heritage, while the Chinese Association of Guyana on Brickdam formed part of the tour’s focus on Chinese Guyanese heritage. The tour was guided by veteran tour guide Paul Waldron, who shared historical information with participants throughout the journey.
Parents, guardians and children expressed appreciation for the initiative, with some guardians noting that the tour provided an opportunity to expose their children to sites and traditions they had not previously been able to experience. The ERC also acknowledged the support of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which provided buses for transportation, and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for assisting with the safe movement of participants across Georgetown.
The Commission also thanked religious leaders, site managers and institutions that welcomed the group and shared their knowledge. The Harmony Tour will continue this week, with visits to Essequibo scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, and Berbice on Friday, August 21.
The ERC said the programme is part of its efforts to create opportunities for Guyanese to learn about the country’s diverse histories, cultures and faith traditions while promoting greater understanding and respect among communities.
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