MINISTER of Social Cohesion Amna Ally hopes that one day Guyanese will all unite, and that no geography, race or border will limit the potential of a socially cohesive society. “I am hopeful that we all can unite under the banner of humanity,” the Social Cohesion Minister said as she gave the feature address, in place of President David Granger, at the 18th Annual

Islamic New Year Cultural Programme at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) last Saturday.

She further said that the Annual Islamic New Year brings spiritual renewal, and that peace must reign in various communities and all should demonstrate love for each other while resolving to bring the Guyanese people together.

Special guests included Ustad Zaid Hosein and Troupe and Imam Inshan Hoosanay of Trinidad and Tobago.
NEW GOALS, RESOLUTIONS

Meanwhile, in commemorating the occasion, President General of ACIC Hakeem Khan explained that one of the usual ways to commence any new year is the setting of new goals and resolutions for personal transformation and improvement.

“It is our hope that the New Year will also usher in an era of even greater progress in our country. We call on every Muslim to contribute to the peaceful process of development in our country. We urge our political leaders to resolve to talk to each other and to find solutions at the table of consultations to the many issues which need to be addressed,” the President General said.

He also stressed that “resolutions and goals are powerful tools to help you potentially shape your destiny and therefore our resolutions and goals should include at this time the intention to contribute in whatever way we can to the shaping of a great future for our country.”

Khan opined that the lives of all those people in humanity who achieved remarkable successes were shaped simply by being committed to their goals.
“Among millions of examples, we see a powerful example in the life of Prophet Muhammad (may God’s blessings and peace be with him) whose endless efforts and perseverance with the help of Allah, brought guidance to humanity at large. Through wisdom, hard work, commitment, perseverance, and God’s will, we can achieve anything which we set out to achieve. But you cannot be better today if you did not set out to become better yesterday and took the necessary actions for that betterment,” he explained.

Further, Khan said the process of setting goals and resolutions requires that persons actually take time to analyse where they stand and chart out what they want to become.
“Let us start the change today – both in our personal self and in our country. Let us embark on a personal transformation that can help make us, our families, our community, our country and the world around us even stronger. Let us start the change today – take the time to know ourselves better – identify our weaknesses and commit to eliminate them. Assess our strengths and use them for meaningful pursuits. Make our relationship with our Creator even stronger. Because if we don’t take the step, Allah may not help us,” he added.
The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) and The Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman observed the commencement of the Muslim New Year 1437AH, (which commenced on Thursday, October 15).