MUSLIM
advocates say it is imperative for children of each faith to recite
their own prayers in schools, rather than to say a single universal
prayer which has been generally accepted in Guyana.
The advocates also told President Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday at
the Post-Eid luncheon he hosted for the Muslim Community at State
House that they want religious teachings to be added to the school
curriculum.
Representatives from 15 Islamic organisations along with
approximately 450 Muslims from Jamaats throughout the country
attended the luncheon, which also included Qaseeda
presentations.
The representatives raised several issues with the
Head-of-State, who told them that his Government is committed to
ensuring equality for people of all religious
persuasions.
Among other things, the Muslims called for the establishment
of a franchise body comprising representatives from various Islamic
groupings to ensure that people do not abuse the word “halaal”. They
stressed that persons, especially restaurant owners, often claim
that their chicken is halaal when it is not. The organisations feel
that with a monitoring body, certain conditions would have to be met
before people can put up a halaal sign.
The Muslims also asked that government assist them in
acquiring lands for burial places as there are few which are
distantly located. The President has asked Minister of Housing and
Water, Mr. Shaik Baksh to look into that situation.
The organisations which included the Central Islamic
Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Muslim Youth League (MYL) and the
Guyana Islamic Thrust (GIT) said they would like to see more
interactions of the sort with the government.
President Jagdeo welcomed the gesture and urged that the
groups foster more cooperation amongst themselves as
well.
Among those at the function were Prime Minister, Sam Hinds
and Mrs. Yvonne Hinds; Minister of Human Services and Social
Security, Bibi Shadick; Information Liaison to the President, Mr.
Robert Persaud; United States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Roland
Bullen and UNICEF Representative, Ms. Maria Ribeiro.
Guyana
Chronicle
Sunday, November 13, 2005
