Dear Editor,
I feel compelled to respond to Khaleel Cave on an article he posted regarding the visit by His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali (President of Guyana) to Essequibo Coast.
The writer felt disappointed and very upset, since he felt that His Excellency, being a Muslim, was not the most appropriate person to commission the opening of the tallest Shiva lingam in South America.
He completely failed to realize that Guyana is a plural, multicultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic society; and being President, nationhood takes precedence over personal beliefs, and that was exactly what His Excellency did.
I personally feel the article was mischievous, and was meant to sow division, confusion and discord among our people. His Excellency, by right, is free to travel anywhere within the perimeter of Guyana to serve his people and country. We are extremely fortunate to have a leader who is not only assiduous, but is humble, kind and forgiving (as was seen only two days ago when he opened his arms and heart to the folks who were misled and lost their matter in the High Court).
Khaleel Cave accused His Excellency of shrik (worst sin in Islam), but isn’t serving humanity and being compassionate, kind, helpful, neighbourly the bedrock of Islam? What wrong has our President done, except for being those? Cave should follow the teachings of Sheikh Moeen-ul Hack, a most eloquent, brilliant, charismatic and powerful Islamic scholar, who said that we cannot love God and hate His creations (aren’t Hindus, Christians etc. God’s creations too?) He further said Prophet Muhammad’s message is still relevant, since it was taught that the humanity of every person should be respected along with their religion, place of worship and culture.
I completely respect the President’s vision of ONE GUYANA, and endorse all that he’s doing to accomplish same. President Ali will definitely go down in history as the BEST leader Guyanese have ever seen. Just let your conscience be your guide, but do remember also that he’s human.
One is marvelled at the total transformation of our country in all areas, due to his profound leadership. As a Leonorian, I must admit that I am extremely proud of His Excellency and his amazing, astute and humble leadership. I am also very grateful to his predecessors for their worthy and invaluable contributions to Guyana.
I am looking forward for Cave’s apology to His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali on this very delicate matter, as his narrative runs contrary to the values we uphold as a people.
Sincerely,
Edwin Basdeo
