— courtesy of the U.S. embassy
THE United States embassy in Georgetown  donated five brand new computers to the Muslim Youth League organisation at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara on Friday. The donation was handed over by U.S. Ambassador D. Brendt Hardt, during a ceremony at the Anna Catherina Islamic Centre, at which Regional Chairman Julius Faeber; President of the Muslim League, Brother Shabir Hussain; Member of Parliament, and representative of the Muslim League, Mr. Manzoor Nadir; and a modest gathering of the beneficiaries were present. Also witnessing the ceremony were U.S. Embassy officials Suemayah Abu-Douleh, Cultural Affairs Officer; and Tabatha Fairclough, Public Affairs Officer.
The programme was chaired by the Muslim League’s Public Relations Officer, Brother Raymond Azeez.
Ambassador Hardt, who expressed pleasure at being present to make the donation, remarked, “Today, the US Embassy is partnering with the Muslim League to not only provide the computers we are donating, but also to provide a safe space for the community to come together.”
He said that the embassy was grateful for the partnerships they have been able to forge with faith-based organisations such as the Muslim Youth League, and added, “Such partnerships allow us to connect with larger sectors of the community, (which) would (have been) harder for us to reach on our own.”
He observed that the Muslim Youth League recognises the need to provide the community, especially the young people, with resources that can help increase citizen engagement, economic growth, and social empowerment for the future.
The U.S. envoy noted that the 21st century brought a new set of challenges and opportunities. He alluded to US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s observation that meeting 21st century challenges requires using 21st century tools, which can ‘help individuals[to] be empowered for their own development.’
The embassy’s donation of the desktop computers, he said, is part of that effort to empower communities and people for development, by enhancing their connection to 21st century technologies.
Expressing appreciation for the valued work of the organisation, Ambassador Hardt, in presenting the computers, said: “I would especially like to recognise the work of  the Muslim Youth League, which is facilitating a range of initiatives beneficial to the whole community, by presenting your community with these five desktop computers to help create better access for your community to global connection technologies.”
And with a desire to see as many of the young people of the community as possible benefiting from the gifts presented, Ambassador Hardt told the gathering, “Even though the computers are located at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, everyone – regardless of what faith they are – will have access to the computers.”
He outlined that, through the provision of computers for the lab at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, everyone in contiguous communities will have greater access to a computer, and all the valuable information that the internet can provide.
To this end, he encouraged those present to take a look at the U.S. embassy’s informative Facebook page, for instance; or to follow the embassy on Flickr or Twitter, where there are an endless number of possibilities.
On a note of encouragement, the ambassador added that the embassy has been greatly encouraged by the way Guyana’s people have been able to peacefully coexist in a multi-faith society and support religious freedom.  He noted that religious freedom is integrally connected to social stability, economic development, and national unity.
He also made the timely observation that, in a world where approximately 85 per cent of people have some form of religious belief, restriction on religious freedom and expression can fuel sectarian tensions, disenfranchise vulnerable minorities, and hinder the ability of faith-based groups to contribute fully to public life and the common good.
Ambassador Hardt alluded to President Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egypt, and his point that, “freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.” He noted that during that speech, President Obama declared that people in every country should be free to choose and live their faith, based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart and soul.
He also mentioned that President Obama is dedicated to fostering inter-faith dialogue, cooperation and understanding.
Ambassador Hardt said, “The United States and Guyana share a profound common belief in the importance of religious freedom, which is why both our societies have communities such as Anna Catherina — that recognise the strength in diversity, embrace the freedom of exchange of ideas, and encourage an atmosphere of understanding and reconciliation, so vital to our ability to live in peace and security with our diverse neighbours.”
In closing, the ambassador assured that the U.S. embassy would continue to reach out to the people of Guyana, to increase access to new innovations and new technologies that will allow Guyanese to fully leverage the networks and possibilities of an inter-connected world.
On behalf of the Muslim League, President Shabir Hussein thanked the ambassador and the U.S. embassy for the generous donation, and stressed the value of the computers to both the League and the community. He called on parents of the beneficiaries to use this opportunity to get their children educated for the 21st century, using the relevant tools being made available to them.
Hussein said, “Education is so critical! So, parents, let’s get this message out there. Start to get your girls [children] educated.”  He urged them not to harbour the belief that they were too old to handle computers, adding, “You’ll be surprised to see, when you get on it, it could be so simple.”
And concurring with the ambassador’s exhortation for religious freedom and for faith-based organisations to co-exist, Brother Hussain said the Quran teaches that Muslims ought not to criticise any other person’s religion. “What we need to do is to respect every single person’s religion” he stressed.
He told the gathering that in order to attract people to their religion, it was necessary for them to do the following: “Be respectable; respect yourselves, respect your religion… live a life…but do not ever criticise other people’s religion.”
Hussain also assured the ambassador that the computers would be utilised to benefit not only the Muslim youth, but the wider youth community, as advised. He complimented the Masjid and the Anna Catherina Muslim League complex for the work being done to mobilise, educate and develop young people.
Brief remarks were also made by MP Manzoor Nadir, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber and others.  M.P. Nadir brought greetings and expressions of gratitude from the Government of Guyana as well.