WE Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party leader Azruddin Mohamed is facing major backlash after criticising members of the LGBTQ community during remarks made at a mosque.
The video, circulated widely on social media, shows Mohamed addressing persons at the Masjid where he questioned the presence of individuals he deemed “questionable persons, lesbians, bisexuals” praying at the religious institution.
His remarks quickly drew a backlash from the likes of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, who said political leaders must promote unity rather than intolerance.
In a public post addressing the issue, the minister said responsible leadership requires respect for all people, regardless of their background or identity.
“Good political leaders find ways to make life easier for the people they seek to lead,” she wrote, adding:
“Leading a bandwagon of intolerance for anyone based on their religion or sexual orientation or ethnicity or gender or for any other bigoted view ought to be something eschewed by political parties and their leadership.”
Manickchand said she was shocked by the suggestion that members of the LGBTQ community should be excluded from places of worship.
“Imagine my shock, therefore, when I heard the WIN party leader shunning lesbians and asking for them to be disinvited from places of worship,” she said, adding that houses of worship should remain safe spaces for everyone.
“Places of worship should be safe havens for all, not so?” she asked.
She also urged greater compassion during the religious observances currently underway.
“Let’s be kind and tolerant in this Ramadan and Lenten period. I doubt our God would want us to hurt others because we don’t see eye-to-eye with them on any issue. Live and let live,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues said the comments raise questions about the position taken by the WIN party during the last elections.
In a Facebook post, Rodrigues recalled that just before the General and Regional Elections last year, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a panel discussion on LGBTQ+ issues which was attended by representatives of several political parties.
According to the minister, she represented the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), while Odessa Primus represented the WIN party.
She noted that during that forum, all participating parties condemned discrimination based on sexual orientation, and expressed support for equal access to education, healthcare, employment and protection under the law.
Rodrigues questioned whether the stance expressed by the WIN party at the time was merely politically convenient.
“Was the position expressed by WIN on that panel one of convenience because of the impending elections? Has that position changed? Are we no longer equal?” she asked.
The minister also addressed what she described as repeated attacks on her personal life by supporters of the opposition leader.
“My personal life is not a weakness, and I have never used it to play the victim. I am a proud gay person, serving in the Cabinet of our country, and supported by my party,” Rodrigues stated.
She added that the government remains committed to governing inclusively.
“When we say we govern for all the people of Guyana, we mean ALL the people of Guyana,” she said.
The remarks have also drawn criticism from members of the LGBTQ community, including popular activist Akeem Hodge, widely known as “Angel”.
In a video going the rounds Online, a visibly upset Hodge can be seen expressing frustration over the statements, arguing that one should not be judged for seeking spiritual guidance, or choosing to worship.
“God came for the sinners and not for the righteous, and who are you to judge Mankind?” Hodge said.
He maintained that persons who attend places of worship do so to pray and seek faith, not to promote their personal lifestyle.
“If a gay man decides he wants to join the Muslim faith, or a lesbian says she wants to join the Muslim faith, you have no right to judge and look upon their lifestyle,” he said.
Hodge added that as a member of the LGBTQ community, he found the comments deeply troubling, noting that religion should remain open to all.
Public reaction has also been evident across social media platforms.
In a Facebook post, user Chandradatt Jagdeo addressed Mohamed directly, arguing that religious teachings caution against judging others.
Citing passages from the Qur’an, the writer said: “These verses emphasise humility, and warn against judging others’ righteousness, that knowledge belongs to Allah alone.”
The post also noted that members of the LGBTQ community form part of the electorate, and contribute to national development, while urging tolerance.
“In the season of Ramadan also, let’s be kind, or at least tolerant,” the user wrote, echoing the minister’s call for respect and understanding.
Mohamed’s remarks have drawn criticism from government officials, activists and members of the public who say political leaders must avoid language that promotes exclusion or discrimination.
Meanwhile, Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar Mohamed, are currently before the courts in relation to extradition proceedings to the United States.
U.S. prosecutors have accused the pair of running what authorities describe as an international criminal network linked to a US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme, with charges including alleged wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and customs violations.
According to U.S. authorities, the case is being pursued in the U.S. Southern District of Florida.
The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had also sanctioned the Mohameds in June 2024 over allegations related to gold smuggling and public corruption.
