–VP Jagdeo says; emphasises importance of peace, unity, security, cultural diversity

ACKNOWLEDGING the sufferings and violence in Gaza, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said that Palestinians are starving because of the “failure” of the international community to come together and recognise what is going on.

His call comes at a time when Muslims across the world are observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, a period of fasting, prayer and reflection.

In his address at the launch of the first-ever local Ramadan Village on the lawns of the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) ground, Dr. Jagdeo said: “Ramadan is a period of fasting and sacrifice. There is a part of the world where people are fasting involuntarily; I’m speaking about Gaza….

“Now we have tens of thousands of people in Gaza who are starving; and they are not starving because there is no food in the world, they are starving because of the failure of the international community to come together and recognise the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Amidst the colourful décor at the Ramadan Village, many booths proudly showcased the sign, “Free Palestine”, and the respective exhibitors were enthusiastic about showcasing numerous aspects of the teachings of Islam along with garments, literature, local and international cuisine, including sweetmeats.

Amplifying the messages that were around, Dr. Jagdeo called out Israel for its continuous crimes against Palestine, and noted that prevarication around this issue has allowed Israel to defy the entire international community.

He said: “Israel cannot bring security to itself through wiping out the Palestinian people. And that is why we support a two-State solution to this issue; the entire world supports a two-State solution to bring peace to that region to allow Israel to live in peace and security, but also the Palestinian people to live in dignity.”

Given the devastating situation in Gaza, the Vice-President said that Guyanese have to count their blessings, because they live in a country that is culturally, religiously and ethnically diverse.
He also firmly remarked that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government is steadfast in its efforts to unite all citizens.

“President Irfaan Ali recognises that the economic and social prosperity that is taking place in our country has to be buttressed by support for cultural diversity, and for things spiritual, because our nation will be incomplete if we only focus on those issues,” he said, adding that the Head of State, since assuming office, has extended his support to various cultural groups and religious communities.

“He doesn’t believe that there is a single culture in Guyana, we [the PPP] believe that we must allow all of our people to feel comfortable with who they are,” Dr. Jagdeo said.

The Ramadan Village also serves as a platform for non-Muslims to learn more about Islam, which, unfortunately, according to the Vice-President, has been “vilified globally for a long time and mischaracterised”.

The massive event has been organised by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT), the Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana (MYOG), and the Government of Guyana.

UNITY
Director of Education and Dawah, Shaykh Moeenul Hack touched on the importance of Ramadan and keeping the fast.

He pointed out that an objective of the fast is to strengthen one’s relationship with the Creator, through prayers, recitation, and listening to the Quran among other things.

Hack said: “This nourishment of the soul produces good thoughts, positivity, peace of mind, and strengthens our forbearance. We are humans because of a body and the soul. And through this fast, we are able to preserve our humanity.

“This fast, complemented by the remembrance of Allah, should take our relationship with our Maker to a higher level and make us better human beings.”

He underscored that the Ramadan Village creates the environment to achieve this objective, noting that it offers another opportunity to educate the Guyanese community about Islam and its culture.

Head of GIT, Shaykh Abdool Aleem Rahim expressed similar sentiments, and in his presentation, he educated the crowd of Guyanese, both Muslim and Non-Muslim, about the importance of Ramadan and unity.

The Ramadan Village aided in setting the tone for what is marked as one of the greatest periods for Muslims.

As the crowd was serenaded with a beautiful and melodious chant by a group of children and a Qaseeda by the Vice-President of the Muslim Youth Organisation Imran Ally, the sun had slowly set, and Muslims began to lock their eyes on the sky in search of the new crescent moon.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and lasts for 29 to 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.