PPP/C hails Dr Ishmael’s legacy

As tributes continue to pore in following the death of Dr Mohammed Ali Odeen Ishmael on Saturday, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has hailed the legacy left behind by the former Ambassador.
Dr Ishmael passed away at his home in Ocala, Florida. In a statement on Sunday, the PPP/C said it mourns the loss of Dr Ishmael, who served as a diplomat under the party’s Administration.
The party reflected that he was a Central Committee member of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) from 1972 to 1982. He was also a Central Committee member of the PPP from 1980 to 1988.
Dr Ishmael was also a well-known educator and his qualifications included a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography, Post-graduate Diploma in Education and a PhD in Education. He started his teaching career as a primary school teacher in 1964, becoming a secondary school teacher in 1971 and remained in the education field in Guyana until 1985 when he migrated.
In The Bahamas, he taught from 1986 until 1993.
After the return of democracy to Guyana on October 5, 1992, President Cheddi Jagan appointed Dr Ishmael as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America and concurrently Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States(1993 to2003).
He served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to Venezuela (2003-2011). From 2011 to 2014 he became Guyana’s first ambassador to the State of Kuwait and Non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guyana to the State of Qatar from April 2013 to June 2014. He served Guyana with distinction and was highly respected by his peers in the diplomatic field. In 2003 the United States Congress, in a joint resolution, also paid a special tribute to him.
He had a passion for history and writing. His scholarly works covered a diverse range of topics including Amerindian stories, diplomacy, politics and history. He has made an immense intellectual contribution to our country.
Comrade Odeen was held in high esteem throughout his career, he received the Gandhi Centenary Gold Medal (1974), the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (1997) and the Martin Luther King Legacy Award.
The PPP/C extend its deepest condolences to Dr Ishmael’s wife, Evangeline Ishmael; his son, Safraz Waseem Ishmael, and his daughter Nadeeza Ishmael. At this time of sadness and mourning, the party said the Ishmael family should be consoled by the fact that Dr Odeen touched the lives of many Guyanese.