– at CIOG cultural presentation
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar joined a large gathering of Muslims at the National Cultural Centre for a Youman Nabi cultural show yesterday that featured the United Kingdom’s premier Nasheed group, Aashiq-Al Rasul.
The group is well known for a repertoire of faith-inspired music, ranging from the classical style Qawali, contemporary Nasheed, sung in Arabic, and was the main highlight of the presentation organised by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG).
Minutes after their inspiring and audience-participating performance, the five-member group greeted President Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and CIOG President Fazeel Ferouz.
Aashiq Al Rasul is on a tour of Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago during the period February 5 to12.
In his brief remarks, President Ramotar said he was delighted to be part of the event that celebrated the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the lessons he taught during his time on earth.
The President was particularly pleased that in Guyana, where there is a diversity of religious beliefs, the Government has maintained a policy of respect for the right of every individual to his/her faith and that no one should be prohibited or maligned for his/her belief.
“I believe people only fear what they don’t know and most of the fear of any religion has to do fundamentally with ignorance,” President Ramotar said.
Embracing peace as one of the many doctrines enshrined in Islam and, according to President Ramotar, such beliefs are common to those involved in politics whose endeavour it is to achieve equality and justice and bring an end to poverty and hunger.
“One of the things that is central to Islam is the whole question of equality and this is something too, that we are committed to ensure, as far as possible. We work to realise the full potential of our country and that all our people must have equal opportunity to develop and grow,” President Ramotar said.
Solidarity, another cornerstone of Islamic principles, was highlighted by President Ramotar who asked that the tribulations of those in the Middle East, particularly Palestinians, be remembered.