Muslims exchange Eid Mubarak greetings  – at end of Ramadan

“BAD habits waste valuable time and cripple faith and productivity.”This was the message delivered yesterday morning, during the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, by Shaykh Moeenul Hack of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) to the many Muslim brothers and sisters who congregated at the Muslim Youth Organisation’s (MYO’s) Woolford Avenue, Georgetown headquarters.

He noted that this is the day to reap the fruits of their efforts during the holy month of Ramadan. “Our challenge now is to maintain this devotion we achieved during Ramadan. We must maintain a strong connection with our Creator, and our understanding of the Quran must continue”, he urged all.

Shaykh Moeenul Hack emphasied that very much has been attained during the sacrifices made, and he highlighted that now, “Let us promote love instead of hatred, let us promote unity instead of disunity and division.”

“May Allah almighty bless us with strength of character to promote justice, peace, love, unity and racial harmony”, he concluded as he wished all his Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed day.

Delivering brief words to the congregation, United States ChargÉ d’Affaires, Mr Bryan Hunt, wished all present ‘Eid Mubarak’, and noted that he brings wishes of a blessed day from President Barack Obama.

He said: “Not only did you spend a month in fasting, but you have spent a month doing good deeds for one another, and it is our hope that the world recognises the Muslim community for all the works they have done.

“It is our responsibility to care and, most importantly, to love one another”, he urged all.

On behalf of the Government of Guyana, Michael Carrington, Member of Parliament (MP), said: “We wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak! Eid Mubarak!”

He said that being a member of the newly elected Government, “it is our aim to work together with all our people for a better Guyana.”

Mr Carrington explained that if one reads the Quran properly, “it teaches you to fight against the wrong, to fight against hypocrisy. So I ask you to join with us, and correct us when we are wrong, so we can take this beautiful country of ours forward.”

In a message, CIOG President Fazeel Ferouz stated: “On this auspicious occasion, the end of the holy month of Ramadan, I extend on behalf of myself, family, and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, to all Guyanese, and especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!! Eid Mubarak!!

“Let us lead by example, and join with all of them in our country who have similar beliefs, to try our best to wipe out corruption and crime at all levels of society; violence against women, rape, sexual molestation of children, alcohol abuse, suicide, and racial discrimination. We have been trained and fortified in Ramadan, now is the time to put the lessons we have learnt into practice”, he urged all.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally; Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence; and Chairman of Demerara Bank, Yesu Persaud, at Eid prayers at the Peter’s Hall Masjid, yesterday

Female Muslim worshippers at the MYO yesterday

Muslim worshippers participating in prayers at the Muslim Youth League on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown

U.S. ChargÉ d’Affaires Bryan Hunt greeting CIOG President Fazeel Ferouz

Two brothers exchange Eid Mubarak greetings yesterday at MYO on Woolford Avenue

U.S. ChargÉ d’Affaires Bryan Hunt speaking during yesterday’s Eid programme at the MYO