HUMILITY is a great source of strength. This is true regardless of a person’s station in life but moreso among those who are in positions of leadership.

This display of humility was very much in evidence at the National Day of Fasting and Prayers which was held recently at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The activity saw the participation of hundreds of Guyanese from all walks of life and from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

Identifying himself as the ‘chief servant’ of the people, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali urged Guyanese to use the period of fasting to reflect on their sense of purpose and to do self-evaluation and introspection and use the opportunity to uplift and pray for each other. He also encouraged persons to use the opportunity to identify their weaknesses and seek counsel so that they can be in a better position to serve humanity.

The fact is that no person is perfect. As someone once said, “He is not wise who makes no mistakes. There are no such persons; nor can there ever be. He is wise who makes not serious mistakes and who corrects them easily and quickly.”

The National Day of Fasting and Prayer is a commendable initiative on the part of President Ali and would certainly go a far way in the creation of a harmonious and cohesive society.

The religious community has an important role to play in this regard. As observed by President Ali, “Under no banner of religious belief, can you hate, under no banner can you discriminate, under no banner can you not be tolerant of each other. I am convinced that if our religious institutions ensure that the value system which operates uphold always the rule of law, uphold democratic principles, uphold principles, uphold tolerance, uphold peace, patience and compassion, we will be able to achieve oneness.”

These are deeply profound words which have connected with a broad spectrum of the Guyanese society. Except, it seems, for the leadership of the APNU+AFC Coalition which was conspicuous by their absence. Not only did they fail to show up but there are reports that they encouraged their friends and supporters to boycott the activity. In fact, it is continuing to peddle a false narrative of being ‘cheated’ out of office despite the fact the results were regarded as free and fair by local and international observers and more significantly by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Indeed, it was the APNU+AFC that attempted to manipulate the results of the elections, literally in broad daylight, in collaboration with ‘rogue elements’ within the GECOM Secretariat.

Be that as it may, the country has to move forward and the President and his PPP/C Administration has been doing a commendable job in laying the foundation for a just, equitable and democratic Guyana. It is now for the political opposition to, as it were, step up to the plate, and demonstrate to the Guyanese people that it is prepared to play by the norms of democracy and the rule of law. Now that the PNC has a new leader in Aubrey Norton it has an opportunity to change the narrative of the PPP/C being an ‘installed’ regime by first of all recognising the legitimacy of the PPP/C Administration and secondly being honest with its members and supporters about the results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. So far, there is no indication that the new PNC leader is inclined to go in that direction, having been himself a proponent of that false narrative of his party being ‘cheated’ out of power.

Guyanese are inherently a peaceful and tolerant people. As President Ali noted, there is more that unite as us a society than what may appear to divide us. And while it is true that our foreparents came from different lands and on different boats, the truth is that we are today living in a single territorial space known as Guyana. That in itself is a unifying fact of our existence and being. As observed by the President, it is important for Guyanese to understand that we are all part of a singular family and a single humanity and our purpose of lifting each other.

The National Day of Prayers and Fasting has brought us one step closer to the realisation of the ‘One Guyana’ vision initiated by President Ali. As the President had said, “no government has all the answers. It is my wish to be able to benefit from the viewpoints of all, including our political parties, trade unions, private sector, workers and social organisations. One Guyana is therefore a social contract of inclusion.”

The overall aim of the ‘One Guyana’ vision is about creating a more equal and just society which will allow for all Guyanese to lead productive, happy and dignified lives. One important element in the realisation of the ‘One Guyana’ vision is the building of an environment of trust. In this regard, there is still much work to be done but with the level of commitment and his passion for a just and cohesive Guyana, President Ali is certainly leading the way in that direction.