PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, delivered yet another call for Guyanese to be united under the ‘One Guyana’ mantra during the observances of the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan, the Christian period of Lent and the Hindu nine nights of prayers and fasting called Navratri.
President Ali said, on Friday, that the religious observances beckon Guyanese to be united and for there to be peace and harmony in Guyana.
He stressed that was what Guyana needed, warning there was no place in the society for hate, divisiveness, racism, intolerance, extremism and discrimination.
The President believes that if Guyanese leaders stayed steadfast to the religious beliefs and teachings found in all three of the observances mentioned, Guyana would be a society that strives for love, truth, equality, peace and justice.
He also said that Guyanese must lift each other up and not tear each other down.
Firstly, President Ali must be given kudos and be commended for having the vision to organise the National Day of Fasting and Prayers at this critical point for Guyana. It was necessary as Guyana was now making several decisions surrounding electoral and constitutional reforms, GECOM, local government elections and cost of living concerns.
So, this day of fasting and praying was timely and appropriate because all Guyanese, leaders, and citizens, got a chance to reflect, undergo introspection and retool their moral and circular visions. They had time to think of how to achieve the ‘One Guyana’.
Secondly, President Ali skillfully hit the nail on the head with his subtle remarks about looking to the things that unify Guyana, not destroying her. It could be that President, Dr. Ali, is talking to the politics of the opposition, the APNU+AFC party that seeks to be most times brutish and puerile in form and quality.
Notwithstanding the times when the politicians make sense and offer sensible suggestions, it seems like the majority of the time the opposition spends practising the politics of opportunism, vengeance and conflict, anti-development and race. The day offers the President and his Cabinet ministers and all of Guyana to pray for them publicly, that they would change from their unsavory politics of race and wild accusations.
It was sad and disappointing that soon-to-be Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton was not there in person as he was likely invited to attend the activities.
After all, Norton would have demonstrated the political maturity had he attended the observances, showing signs of a possibility of repairing the damage that his predecessors did to the relationship with the President. His convenient absence is a slap in the face of all Hindus, Muslims, and Christians that saw the wisdom in participating in Friday’s observances.
It will not be forgotten that the politicians at Congress Place could not care less about praying and fasting for Guyana as was seen as their non-action in the promotion and holding of any minute observances which marked the day.

Their common grandstanding, political dancing for the cameras and selfish agendas will not work or get Guyana closer to its ‘One Guyana’ potential. That is to say, the opposition entrance back to Parliament this week, where several opposition motions and questions are going to come up for discussion, is being watched closely by all and sundry.
Also, the swearing-in of Norton and Volda Lawrence is seen as a highlight politically because it will signal which type of road the opposition will traverse, especially with PPP/C Government having several bills on the table.
Our leaders must work together for Guyana’s growth and development.