MINISTER of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali said yesterday that Youman Nabi (the Day of Prophet Muhammad) and the colourful festival of Phagwah offer an opportunity to celebrate the goodness of those events. He said it should also allow people to remind themselves of the importance of their existence, morality and ethics.

Ali made the remarks while addressing staff of his ministry and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) while celebrating the country’s unique cultures and diversity.

The staffers got together for the two-fold occasion, some of them decked out in their traditional Muslim and Hindu attire and indulged in a variety of delicacies.

Ali said he is very happy that the entities have employees who are competent to share the message and significance of the sacred milestones.

“And that is testimony to the fact that we have a vibrant organisational culture that focuses on equality and promotion of culture of beliefs and so on,” he remarked.

Ali said those are very important aspects of any modern organisation, especially in a multicultural society like Guyana, where there is a fusion of cultures, religions and varied thinking that make it more dynamic and responsive.

He said this initiative, by the Ministry, started last year and is embedded in the staff because it originated with them.

Ali said it is important to have ownership of various ideas and events as it brings more out of them and helps the staff to plan and organise, very critical additions to your required skill level.

He said the two events are the celebration of the life of a prophet and his important message of unity, peace and the other message of Holi which is good conquering evil.
Wishing the celebrants happy Youman Nabi and Phagwah, Ali told them: “I hope that you enjoy both holidays and rejuvenate yourselves to come back, again, for us to continue this hard task of building our country.” (PRIYA NAUTH)

Photos by: Adrian Narine
Photos saved in graphics folder as : Housing phagwah (DSC 4901)