AS a religious leader, I must join the voices of all other leaders in calling for the resignation of Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, who spewed religiously offensive and highly provocative personal statements publicly directed at President Irfaan Ali.

Advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence will always be condemned in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society such as Guyana. It is an act of insanity.

These acts represent potential triggers that result in the repression of a rapidly evolving State and society.

As an Imaam, I would not favour a Muslim state as we are one people, one nation and with one destiny, and our President is a leader for all religions and citizens.

All sensible stakeholders, including the Leader of the Opposition, should condemn the offensive statements made by the Georgetown Mayor.

His expression of degrading the President as a racist and Muslim leader who wants to create Guyana into a Muslim state has no relevance in protesting against the removal of vendors on New Market Street.

The Mayor, in an effort to discover opportunities for the vendors, has allowed his emotional bias to erupt against the President. As a religious leader, something he also claims to be, I denounce such expressions and call on the mayor to tender his resignation immediately, as he is unfit and not proper for a Chief Citizen of Georgetown.

He could have resolved the issue in a more dignified manner. But first, one must possess the knowledge to achieve such, and it is clear that Mayor Narine does not possess such, based on his words and actions.

Yours Truly
Imaam Halim Khan