President opens Masjid an-Najm and social center
Georgetown, GINA, March 3, 2012
President Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds being given tour of the Masjid an-Najm and Social Center
President Donald Ramotar was today the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Masjid an-Najm and social center at what was formerly the Star Cinema in Albouystown, Georgetown.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, former Labour Minister, Manzoor Nadir and Secretary General of the Guyana Red Cross, Dorothy Fraser were also among those present.
The building was constructed at the cost of $44M, which was raised through the generosity of the Muslim community under the auspices of the Guyana Islamic Thrust. (GIT)
In his remarks, the President said that Guyana has a great reputation with regards to tolerance; where all religions can flourish in freedom and peace as there is a greater understanding among citizens of different faiths, than in many other parts of the world.
President Donald Ramotar delivering remarks at the opening of the Masjid an-Najm and Social Center at Albouystown, Georgetown
He said that the well-being of Guyanese citizens has been the cornerstone of the successive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, a fact which the allocations in the national budget can attest to.
In 1992, Government spent eight percent of the budget on the social sector; while last year over 30 percent was spent in this regard; as Government is moved by the need to end poverty so as to create a better life for citizens.
The Head of State said that development of the human capital is one of the principles that his Government and the GIT hold with utmost importance, which is why the latter will find a good partner in his administration to collectively fight against some the anti-social activities that plague society.
He added that Albouystown has a lot of talents, which are often drowned by poverty, and expressed the hope that the Masjid, which is also a social and learning center, will be use as a tool that will drive the potential of the people within the area, particularly the youths.
The Masjid an-Najm and Social Center
President Ramotar also assured of his support especially since both Government and the Muslim organisation are driven by a common objective which is, to move society forward.
Chairman of the Masjid an-Najm and Social Center, Nazar Mohamed said that this project was first visualized a few years ago during Islamic Awareness Week. The land on which it stands was donated; however, it had accumulated huge arrears of rates and taxes.
As a result, the GIT sought the assistance of the Government through Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, who in turn, made representation on its behalf to former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The former Head of State responded positively by making interventions at the level of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to have the debt waived.
The building is also an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme.
The social center provides Muslim education and training, family guidance and counselling, women education and development, skills training, literary classes, social relief and welfare, medical clinic and care for the elderly and differently-abled.
