Church has a role to play in fostering unity, tolerance – Head of State
…as Brooklyn pastors pledge support for “One Guyana”
President Dr Irfaan Ali, accompanied by a number of Government officials, has been meeting with religious leaders including those of the Guyanese diaspora in New York. During those meetings, the church was called upon to join the Government in its efforts to promote national unity at home in Guyana.
President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo share a photo with the Brooklyn pastors
The Head of State and team met with a group of pastors from the Brooklyn community at the Permanent Mission of Guyana in New York. The President’s team included Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo; Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd; Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud.
During the meeting, he informed Guyanese pastors from Brooklyn about his Government’s plans to unite all of Guyana under an umbrella of development and harmony. The President told the overseas-based Guyanese about the importance of their role in fostering unity and tolerance as he elaborated on his campaign for the advancement of the One Guyana agenda.
“Our development programme is never tailored for any one ethnic group,” the President said, while calling on the church to help in sustaining a dialogue based on the foundation of truth and building on institutional arrangements where “religious leaders unite and bring people together.”
Inclusivity
He also spoke about his Government’s commitment to inclusivity with all stakeholders. The President added that his Government is open to critique and that there will be a conference organised with the objective of hearing reports and fielding questions on its agenda.
The meeting also led to discussions on a number of matters specific to social cohesion in Guyana. According to the Office of the President, the congregation of pastors welcomed the opportunity to speak directly with the Head of State and expressed their willingness to play their part in the promotion of national unity.
It was explained that they also used the opportunity to pledge their support to the Government and stated their interest in fairness, equal rights and the distribution of wealth to Guyanese. Meanwhile, Vice President Jagdeo in supporting the President’s drive, noted the importance of promoting unity and securing democracy.
The President and team during his meeting with members of the OIC
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
President Ali also held meetings with leaders from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), engaging in bilateral talks with the Secretary General of the OIC, Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and his delegation at the Permanent Mission of Guyana in New York
Dr Ahmad Al-Othaimeen was joined by OIC’s Ambassador Yousef Al Dobeay; Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Ambassador Tarig Bakhit; Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev and the Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations, Bahareldeen Gamareldeen.
President Ali was joined by Vice President Jagdeo; Foreign Minister Todd; Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, and Foreign Secretary Persaud during this round of meetings with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. (G3)
