GUYANA Islamic Forum (GIF), observing the 20th anniversary of its feeding programme, hosted a thanksgiving service yesterday, in Masjid Al-Munawar, at Lot 50 Louisa Row, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown. The programme was punctuated with songs, recitals and prayers and Haji Roshan Khan made appropriate remarks.
The guest speaker, Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir joined with Muslim brothers and sisters in the celebration, saying it is about spreading love and sharing food to those in need, a humanitarian effort resulting from a divine command.
He recalled his younger days, as a boy attending mosque and the work of his brother, Jab Rahaman, who said a masjid should not only be a place of worship but for human and social development.
In that light, Nadir said the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project is not only about communication but building communities.
He lauded the two decades of work by the GIF in feeding the poor.
Food for the Poor (FFP) Executive Director, Mr. Leon Davis said his organisation’s contribution to GIF will continue and a member of his staff will be identified to ensure that much needed foodstuff is donated to assist in the feeding.
He said, over the years, FFP, as a Christian organisation, assists all religious bodies, because partnerships are needed to cement relationships.
Giving a background of the feeding scheme, Imam Mohamed Rasheed told the gathering that it started with three members, including himself, wife and Rahaman and, today, they have managed, without the help of the Government, through donations from members and a few non-governmental agencies.
Rasheed admitted it was most a trying time because it put pressure on their pockets but they continued after heeding the appeal of late President Cheddi Jagan, who, on recognising the plight of the needy, called on all religious denominations to help through feeding programmes.
Rasheed said they began by preparing two meals weekly and now they supply about 500 weekly, three days a week and also feed inmates of the Children’s Drop-In Centre, The Palms and Dharma Shala.
He said, on Tuesdays, the menu is soup, Wednesday’s cook-up rice and Thursdays curry beef, with dhal and rice.
Rasheed said, during the month of Ramadan, they feed the needy for between 12 and 14 days.