-Pandit Chowbay says country cannot progress without embracing God

LEADERS from Guyana’s three main religions — Hindu, Muslim, and Christian — have expressed their satisfaction with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s call for the spreading of the word of spiritual unity across the nation during the observation of Maha Shivaratri/Phagwah, Ramadhan, and Lent/Easter festivities.

In an interview with this publication, one of Guyana’s most renowned pandits, TarrahRam Chowbay (Babuji/Pandit Chowbay), of Lima Shiva Mandir on the Essequibo Coast, explained that it is refreshing, and equally important for the country’s leaders to recognise the integral role that religion and faith in God play in promoting national unity and maintaining peace among the nation.

According to Pandit Chowbay, “Our religion teaches of the importance of the spiritual heads and the importance of gurus, who are believed to be closer to God. As such, they were consulted by the leaders of the country before any major decisions were made. While we may not have gurus or consult with gurus as it once was, it is nice to see that we have a president who recognises God and participates in everyone’s belief.”

He continued, “Religion also plays a vital role in one’s life, and as a nation, we need to encourage more of that. A country without God is not going to go anywhere; we need to have leaders who believe in God and not just talk about God.”

Acknowledging that the world is evolving daily, Pandit Chowbay asks that adults contribute to building a better society by teaching children and young people the value and significance of realising that there is a supreme entity who is superior to all humankind.

“Every day we are seeing the progress that is happening in the country, but we are also seeing the wrongdoings and injustice that are met out to others too, and many of them involve our young people. I believe all of us know what is right and wrong, but many of us do not ask ourselves if our daily actions are helping or hurting our people or ourselves.

“What you find is that people are very obsessed with power and getting rich, but not many are obsessed with peace of mind. The only way to get peace of mind is by praying, having faith, and doing the right things in life. No amount of wealth can give you that,” Pandit Chowbay said.

While he acknowledges that President Ali is doing an ‘exceptional job’ in ensuring that he is serving the people of the country, Pandit Chowbay asks that he continue to “keep his word.”

He added, “I see all that the President is doing, and our people and the world see it too. I would like to ask him to always keep his word to the people. With passing time, people will speak of you, Mr. President, and all of what you have done will be part of your legacy. While you will be known for many great things, be a President who is known to have always kept his word.”

CRUCIAL ROLE

Meanwhile, Pastor Quacy Henry of Kildonan Village in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) explained that President Ali is playing a ‘crucial role’ in spreading the message of spiritual unity, especially during the auspicious month of March.

Pastor Henry said: “I am happy that we have a President who is doing a wonderful job of showing by example that we need to live and have spiritual unity in Guyana. I am hoping that other leaders will not only speak about it and its importance, but they must also be seen, and it must be practiced over time, so that we can develop as a nation.

“I truly believe that the Government of Guyana has been doing a whole lot, but we as leaders need to also to create activities and programmes in our respective places of worship so that our young people’s minds and the minds of all can understand the need for God in our lives. I would also like to bring light to the fact that all three major religions teach us from the very core about peace, love, and unity within ourselves and all ethnicities. It is my hope that as we celebrate and observe our festivals of Phagwah, Easter, and Ramadhan around the same time, we enjoy and have unity within this beautiful country of Guyana.”

Finally, the Imam of Meten Meer Zorg (East) Masjid, Halim Khan, added that “during this month, we are blessed to have all three religions celebrating and observing worship. This should not be within the mosques, churches, and mandirs alone, but spiritual unity for the nation should be observed by all on a daily basis.

“When we, the leaders, do this in our places of worship, we are setting a very good example for our children and society at large. This type of practice from us and from President Ali, through his call for ‘One Guyana,’ will definitely bring the country and the people together. We can live as one, and that is through spiritual unity as a nation.”