-says anyone seeking to spread racial division is an enemy to themself, country
IN striving to protect the democratic values that constitute Guyana’s character, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali told thousands gathered at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, last Sunday, that the PPP’s founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan, played an integral role in crafting the essence of the nation.
Recognising that Dr Jagan dedicated his life to building “the soul” of Guyana, President Ali said to the diverse crowd: “Those of us, those of you out there who are religiously inclined, will know that the soul has a special place and purpose in life and after life, but the soul of a country must also be defined because it is the soul of the country that will help us understand the fundamentals of the country. It will allow us to understand what constitutes the value system of a country…”
He continued, “I want us to examine the soul of the country and to make a case that Dr Cheddi Jagan led a group of persons who put together the soul of the country, and the soul of the country was crafted fundamentally by Comrade Cheddi Jagan.”
The President further acknowledged that Dr Jagan created and shaped what the country currently represents.
He also related that Guyanese are now benefitting from a free, independent, and democratic nation, which is owed to him for all that he did.
However, President Ali reminded the public that the soul of the free nation is not a “bestowed gift,” but a creation that was carefully moulded, “like clay in the hands of a potter.”
“Let us not forget that when the soul of this nation was crafted, it was first crafted to guide us through the anti-colonial struggle. The soul of the nation came after colonial rule. We were not a nation during the colonisation, and our soul was still being directed by external hands. When Comrade Cheddi got together with the Political Affairs Committee, the first struggle was to advance Guyana; it was to take Guyana out of the hands of colonial rule and to set us on a course of independence and freedom,” President Ali explained.
He also emphasised the significance of fostering and safeguarding the essential component to ensure the growth and advancement of the nation, while referring to the soul of Guyana and that of a newborn child.
President Ali said: “The soul of our nation embodies the very essence of what the nation stands for: its identity, its values, and its aspiration, much like a newborn infant. The soul of the nation requires nurturing and protection to grow and advance.”
With deep appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Jagan and his fight for democracy in Guyana and Guyanese of all walks of life, President Ali reminded the people that just over four years ago the integrity of the nation and the soul of the country were tested by the evil and dark forces of Guyana.
Additionally, President Ali explained that while the principal foundation of Guyana is alive and well, there is no doubt that the country is in capable hands. According to him, the “protectors” of the soul of Guyana continue to work to ensure that the “principal value” of the nation is upheld.
“The soul of our country is alive and well, and it is alive and well because the principal foundation on which the soul was developed is alive and well, and that foundation is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, and we are alive and well,” the President added.
He then cited the words of the late Dr. Jagan who had said: “Racism is the greatest curse of our land. Anyone who spreads racial propaganda must be severely dealt with; such a person is an enemy to himself and his country.”
President Ali then emphasised that what Dr. Jagan said is the “fundamental principle” on which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic stands.
“We stand on the principle of national unity, on the principle of the oneness of the Guyanese people, and anyone who deviates from this principle, anyone who seeks to spread racial division, is an enemy to this country and an enemy to themselves,” President Ali said.
President Ali later honoured Dr. Jagan by asking people to guard the nation’s soul and to come together in support, solidarity, resiliency, and a common determination to preserve the democratic values that have created Guyana’s identity.
