[www.inewsguyana.com] – President David Granger, in renewing his commitment to ensuring every child in Guyana has access to education, pledged $1 million to support programmes, which are being undertaken by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG).
The President made this pledge during his address to a large gathering of Muslim brothers and sisters assembled at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) for the CIOG’s Annual Youman Nabi Programme.
Youman Nabi is the celebration of the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam.
According to the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger also said that extremism should have no hold in Guyana and it should not be tolerated since all religions must come together and work for the national good.
Noting that education must be a top priority in the country and that every child must be able to attend school, the President said that he will support any organisation that promotes educational activities from which any child can benefit.
“We are in a situation in Guyana today in which I have vowed that as long as I am able and capable, every Guyanese child must find a place in school….I put a lot of emphasis on education and making sure that every child is given the opportunity to go to school. If a child doesn’t have transportation to go to school, we must provide that. If that child has no footwear, we will provide shoes. If the child has nothing to eat, we will provide meals. I am deeply impressed with the work the CIOG has been doing and, this morning, I would like to pledge a million dollars to the CIOG for the work of its three educational institutes. It is a start and…I am prepared to help anyone who is prepared to help themselves,” President Granger said.
The Head of State further noted that that as the nation prepares to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary, Guyanese must reflect on the disturbing circumstances under which Guyana became independent and take lessons from there.
To this end, he pointed out the need for national unity, if the country is really to become ‘free’ and ‘independent’. The President advised that Guyanese must work together to ensure that in national unity, no forms of perversion or extremism are tolerated here.
“We’ve never had that sort of religious violence in Guyana that we’ve seen in other parts of the world and as far as I am concerned, and the CIOG is concerned, the perverse doctrines will not find a place in our country, but we must work, we must not take things for granted….On this Holy day, I call on all Guyanese to work towards national unity and to work towards a greater understanding of all our people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Moen ul-Hack, Islamic Scholar and Head of the CIOG, in his remarks said Muslims all over the world are facing a time when they have to defend their religion, and their names, due to the actions of several persons who claim to be of the same faith.
However, he noted that the acts of extremism which are being committed are not representative of Islam or Muslims and in that regard, Guyana can be a shining example.
“They are saying this is Islam. This is not so and if they need evidence then there is a country called Guyana. We are, and we must be thankful that we were born here. This country is a role model for the world when it comes to peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance. ISIS, ISIL, Boko Haram, and all the others, they have nothing to do with Islam and Muslims. We, the Muslims, have suffered more than non-Muslims at the hands of these people who claim to be following Islam but are far from Islam,” he said.
In his brief remarks, US Chargé d’ Affaires to Guyana, Mr. Bryan Hunt, echoed the hopes for peace and compassion to be spread throughout the Holy day and the Christmas season.
The event was also attended by former Ministers Mr. Irfaan Ali and Ms. Bibi Shadick, Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack; and other government officials.
Lancelot, she is the wife of the head of the CIOG and so she had to be there. She had to be polite but yes like you I too have wondered about such things.
Is that Shalimar Hack on the right? I hope that she is repenting past deeds: (a) purchase of undervalued land (b) protection of men who molest little boys (c) malicious prosecution at Jagdeo’s behest. If CIOG wants to be taken seriously as an agent of interfaith brotherhood it may have to remove some elements from the forefront. That woman is one fine piece of work.