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.
Sunday,
November 13, 2005
