THE Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) calls on all of our Guyanese brothers and sisters to pray for peace, harmony and unity in our society at this very important time in our nation. Let us turn to Almighty God and ask for His mercy and guidance. For Indeed Almighty God is the source of peace; and from him alone comes peace. Certainly, when we know God, we will find peace, and when there is no God in our lives, there can be no peace.
Further, the GIT calls on all Guyanese to respect each other; to be tolerant with one another, and to respect the choice of each other. This is a free and democratic society, in which each citizen is free to support and vote for the party of his or her choice. This democratic right of each citizen must be respected. Hence, the exercise of this right should not be the cause of animosity nor should it be a source of hate and strife among us.
The GIT urges all Guyanese to strongly reject any appeal to racial and ethnic sentiments, hate-mongering, racial discord and strife. Such appeals must be regarded as lowly, immoral and indecent, which have no place in a democratic and civilized society. We are all brothers and sisters; all Guyanese; regardless of race, creed, colour, class or status. We cannot allow these artificial barriers to create division and disunity among us and serve as a hindrance to realising our dream of a bright future for all of our people.
The GIT exhorts the Guyanese electorate to vote on the basis of policies and programmes and not on other considerations. Let us put the days of racial voting behind our back. There is a forward movement in this country, which is evident in the fact that all of the major parties in Guyana today present a multi-racial list of candidates, as well as presidential and prime-ministerial candidates who represent the major races in our country. This is not without purpose; rather it reflects a genuine movement to bring our people together at the political and social levels.
The GIT urges all politicians, party activists and supporters of the various political parties to behave responsibly and to fulfil your social and civic obligations to Guyana and the Guyanese electorate with dignity, honour and honesty, during and after the elections. You must remember this is a trust from those who nominate you, and it is a social contract for which you will be held accountable by God and by the people.
6. The GIT implores all elections officials who are tasked with the responsibility to conduct the elections, that you do so with the highest sense of duty, proficiency and integrity. Remember, this is a trust and that you are tasked with delivering a free, fair and transparent election. Therefore, you must dispense this trust in the most honourable way. In the same vein, we call on our disciplined forces to ensure peace and law and order prevail during and after the conduct of the polls.
7. Finally, the GIT asserts that in all elections there can only be one winner. However, this victory should be accepted as a mandate and trust to rule on behalf of all of our people and should be marked with humility, a deep sense of duty and commitment to country, and a solemn oath to put Guyana and sincere service to its people foremost. Additionally, those who have not succeeded at the polls must accept the results in good faith, and continue to offer their sincere service to Guyana.