CONTRARY to reports by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, that the “Muslim community” has endorsed them, the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) has rejected this notion in its entirety, lamenting that “it has not endorsed [the] APNU+AFC Coalition” as was reported.Based on the need for representation of the issues facing the Muslim community, and also the fears for the pre and post-elections scenario, the ACIC opted to engage the two major political parties since no other major Islamic organisation had explored this option.

As such, an ACIC and a faction of the wider Muslim community met with prime ministerial candidate of the ruling’s People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Ms. Elisabeth Harper last week when they deliberated on issues relating to the advancement of the Muslim community.
The ACIC disclosed that following hours of discussions between the delegation and Ms. Harper, a photo op was subsequently had, “but neither she [Ms. Harper] nor her political party, the PPP/C used the meeting as an endorsement.”
In similar fashion, the delegation met with the APNU+AFC coalition on Thursday, April 23, with the same motive of engaging the political party on issues surrounding the Muslim community.
According to the ACIC in a statement issued yesterday, the presence of the Muslim leaders at these meetings was “never to endorse any political party,” but rather “to engage the two major political parties in understanding the issues facing the Muslim community and also the wider Guyanese community.”
But this meeting between the APNU+AFC coalition and the ACIC delegation was interpreted as an “endorsement” by the coalition, since photographs of the meeting were taken to social media and posted on the APNU+AFC pages bearing the caption: “Muslim community endorses APNU+AFC.”
Expressing their “shock” yesterday at these recent developments, the ACIC made it pellucid that they“have not endorsed the APNU+AFC coalition” as was reported.
Further disclosing that “it is not a political institution,” the Islamic body related that it is Guyana’s main Islamic Centre and a centre of spirituality, education, peace, universal goodwill and harmony,which seeks to work and support only the elected leaders of Guyana. Hence the opportunity was taken to engage both of the major political parties ahead of the May 11 General and Regional elections.
Detailing the repercussions of such a move by the coalition to sell the idea that the ACIC has endorsed them, the Islamic body explained that this move has caused the Complex to “lose impartiality” as their local and international partners, many of whom fund their projects, are “dismayed at the supposition of an endorsement of a political party.”
According to the ACIC, “had the APNU+AFC stated that ACIC and other Muslim Leaders had discussions and published photos, we would have had no complaints, the fact that it stated our endorsement of  the party, is what we feel is most unfortunate.
“We wish to make it clear that no mention [by the ACIC] was made of any endorsement as claimed.  We have respect for the APNU+AFC which always played a role at our various functions at our complex, as that was based on mutual respect and for the love our country and peoples,” the ACIC’s statement said.
They further related that while the Government was also extended similar invitations and courtesies, visiting the Opposition’s headquarters was an act of courtesy to communicate and seek the policies of the political party, and was never meant to give political endorsement to the party. This, they are certain, was recognised, but are uncertain as to how the miscommunication was issued.
Reiterating their “feelings of dismay” that this goodwill meeting could have been misinterpreted as an endorsement of the APNU + AFC, the ACIC sought to “categorically deny” this endorsement, while disclosing that under no circumstances are the leaders of ACIC empowered to endorse any political party.
“We reiterate our concerns for a peaceful pre and post-elections period, for speakers from all of the political parties avoiding the use of vile and derogatory language in their campaign and the easing of the tensions at this time in our society. Further, as a community, we are concerned like every Guyanese of the major issues of crime, corruption and other national issues, and like we did at the engagements, offer our support as a vital part of the Guyanese community, to alleviating  these issues,” the religious body said.
To this end, the ACIC issued a call for the “APNU+AFC Alliance to withdraw the part of its press statement and postings on the internet stating that the ACIC and the wider Muslim community have endorsed that party.”