THE Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), Guyana’s leading Islamic centre and hub for international cooperation between the Muslims of Guyana and the rest of the world, will host a special Shukrana (thanksgiving) programme today, from 6.30pm at the Complex to celebrate its recent induction into the list of National Awardees of Guyana.The Complex, which is also the center of Sunni Islam in Guyana, is the venue of more than eighty per cent of the national Muslim programmes in Guyana, and is headquarters of several organizations and institutions, both local and overseas.

In keeping with a tradition of the Muslim community, the programme will also serve as the Muslim community’s official welcome for the new Government.

The Complex received Guyana’s fourth highest national award in the order of service – The Golden Arrow of Achievement — for its outstanding and consistent promotion and execution of programmes and activities within the Muslim community, as well as the wider Guyanese community. The announcement of the Award was made at Guyana’s Independence Day Celebrations at the National Stadium for the inauguration of His Excellency President David Granger.

ACIC is the first Muslim organization in the history of this country to have been recognized as such, and to be conferred with a National Award.
Leaders of the Guyanese Muslim community, as well as representatives of several Muslim organizations overseas, are expected to be present at the programme. Members of the Government, Opposition, civil society and the religious community have also been invited.

All Guyana, especially ACIC’s members and affiliated organizations across the world, were elated at the announcement of the National Award to ACIC, which was credited by President General of ACIC, Hakeem Khan, to the hard work and dedication of all the members and supporters of ACIC, who tirelessly support his administration in the execution of the numerous programmes and activities at this Complex, recognized as the leading Muslim centre in Guyana.

ACIC has been in existence for over 75 years, and has on its membership many non-Muslims and even pastors and pandits. It continuously works to create a society which recognizes that all people are born equal, with equal entitlement to the amenities of life, liberty, prosperity, human rights and good governance; and stands closely with the forces of inclusion in our country and vigorously opposes the forces that seek to impose racial and religious insecurities.

The Complex subscribes to the underlying belief that all religions pursue the same goals -– that of promoting human goodness and values with the aim of bringing happiness to all mankind. Though the means may appear different, the ends are the same.