HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF GUYANA

Apr 21, 2019 News

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The Easter Season is upon us and Kaieteur News joins the Christian community to wish the nation a Happy Easter. Even as persons endeavour to fly kites in observance of this occasion, we pray that the entire nation will continue to embrace our motto: One People, One Nation and One Destiny. Below are some best wishes for the observance of EASTER 2019.

PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER
Easter is the single most sacred festival in the Christian calendar. It commemorates Jesus’s miraculous resurrection – the most important event in Christianity – which lies at the core of the Jesus’s ministry and mission on earth.
Betrayal, trial, crucifixion and resurrection are the mystery of mankind’s salvation.
Most Christians believe that Jesus came to atone for the sins of the world and reconcile man to God. The Gospel of Luke [19: 10] announces Jesus’s mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Most Christians accept that Jesus’s crucifixion was a preordained sacrifice for the redemption of mankind and that his resurrection was a confirmation of the fulfilment of that mission. The Gospel of St John [17:4] recounts Jesus’s prayer to God: “I have glorified thee on earth. I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
Easter celebrates the triumph of life over death, good over evil and hope over despair. The values of this festival ― life and hope ― are shared by the adherents of Guyana’s main religions. It is no surprise, therefore, that Easter, while quintessentially a Christian commemoration, is observed by all and celebrated as a national festival.
The Easter celebration has become a manifestation of social cohesion. It is a time when the barriers of class and ethnicity are broken and replaced by the bonds of goodwill. The Easter holiday ― the longest weekend in our country’s calendar ― brings Guyanese together, at home and in the diaspora, in fun-filled family reunions, kite-flying, picnics, regattas, rodeos and other outdoor activities.
The Easter celebration reminds us of this country’s geographic and demographic diversity. The Rodeo takes place in the Rupununi savannahs of the south, populated mainly by indigenous people.
The Regatta is held at Bartica which located at the confluence of the great Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers. Kite-flying across our country, is an ancient practice brought here by Chinese immigrants. Easter celebrates our diversity.
The Easter celebration radiates happiness and hope everywhere. Guyanese celebrating Easter this year can look towards the future with confidence. Peace and prosperity await us all.
The Easter celebration allows us to promote greater unity. We must use this sacred festival to reconcile ourselves not only to God but to one another by fostering a spirit of respect.
May the message of Easter become a source of strength for everyone as we work together to ensure a better future for all!
A happy Easter to all Guyanese!

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PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY
Easter is one of our nation’s most anticipated holidays in which Guyanese from all backgrounds participate in the traditional kite-flying and other family-related activities that have become synonymous with the occasion. It is foremost a very sacred time for Christians across the world marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter also provides many pertinent lessons for all humanity through its teachings of tolerance, humility, love and respect for others while offering an abundance of hope that one will rise despite being confronted with insurmountable challenges. It is that hope that gives meaningful purpose to all mankind for both personal and societal advancement. On this auspicious occasion, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend Easter Greetings to all Guyanese especially our brothers and sisters within the Christian community both here and in the Diaspora. At this time, our Party urges reflection on the significance of this sacred occasion given its pertinent messages and the importance it can play in helping to realize universal peace and brotherhood among all. Easter, like many of our national holidays, transcends religious boundaries and Guyanese in communities across our country will flock and interact at various vantage points epitomizing the true spirit of the occasion in serving to bring people together. Our Party also takes this occasion to remind of the need for safety while flying kites.
Once again Happy Easter to all!

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PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS/REFORM
The Peoples’ National Congress Reform extends Easter Greetings to all Guyanese and more especially to members of our Christian Community, both here and around the world, on the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian Calendar. This festival, which commemorates the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, contains both in its symbolic significance, and its secular relevance, important and powerful messages.
For the members of the Christian Community, the Easter story represents the fulfilment of God’s prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ and His subsequent Resurrection from the dead. It is this faith, which has kept the worldwide Christian Church alive and enabled its followers to significantly contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind.
The Easter season in Guyana is best known for widespread kite flying that is seen by many as a representation of the theme of the Resurrection. Whatever may have been its origins, kite flying attracts widespread participation of Guyanese, from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture. It, therefore, offers another opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences and work towards a more socially cohesive society.
This Easter as our kites of many colours soar to the heavens, let us be inspired; let us celebrate our multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society. Let us be proud of this rich mosaic that is Guyana. Our diversity is an asset, not a liability.
Happy Easter to All!

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ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMISSION

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends best wishes for the Easter holidays to all Guyanese, more in particular, our Christian brothers and sisters both here and overseas.
It is a time when Guyanese truly come together irrespective of religious belief to participate in kite-flying and other related activities across the country. This exemplifies the true spirit of not just Easter, but that of our national holidays which continue to foster togetherness of our people in this multi-faceted society.
This is important to all of us and our country. The ERC therefore urges that it continues to be built upon so that the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood be strengthened through love, tolerance and mutual respect.
Easter signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his death on the cross of Calvary. This offers a universal message for mankind that there is always hope for a new beginning in the face of adversity bringing comfort and motivation that there is a path to continuity even in what may be seen as the end.
This is pertinent in all spheres of life, kindling courage and optimism while in despair.
As our kites soar and buzz high in the skies during this time, let it become to symbolize our collective and sustained efforts in rising to the challenges as we endeavor together to remove the barriers of hate and prejudice so that peace, harmony and unity will grow and be infused in the hearts and minds of us all.
The ERC also urges that the true significance and the messages of Easter not be lost and that the teachings of Jesus Christ be that guiding hand in our efforts to promote harmony and good relations across our dear land among our Guyanese brothers and sisters.
Once again, best wishes for the Easter holidays.

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GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends Easter Greetings to all Guyanese and more especially to members of our Christian Community, both here and around the world, on the occasion of the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian Calendar. This festival, which commemorates the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, contains, both in its symbolic significance and its secular relevance, important and powerful messages.
For the members of the Christian Community, the Easter story represents the fulfilment of God’s Prophecy that mankind would be offered the hope of eternal life through the sacrificial death of His son, Jesus Christ and His subsequent Resurrection from the dead. It is this faith which has kept the worldwide Christian Church alive and enabled its followers to significantly contribute towards making the earth a better place for all mankind.
The Easter season in Guyana is best known for the widespread kite-flying activity that is seen by many as a representation of the theme of the Resurrection. Whatever may have been its origins, kite-flying attracts widespread participation of Guyanese, from all walks of life, regardless of religion, ethnicity or culture. It, therefore, offers another opportunity for Guyanese to share common experiences and understand each other better.
Let us hope that the symbolism of our kites soaring skyward inspire all Guyanese to embrace the abiding message of hope for the resurgence of the conditions needed for the future development and prosperity of this our Dear Land of Guyana.
A happy Easter to all!

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INDIAN ACTION COMMITTEE

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) in recognition that many Guyanese, including a number of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, are adherents of Christianity, in which a Jewish Carpenter named Yehshua (Jesus), is believed by his followers to be the son of God.
The IAC also recognizes that the followers of Yehshua believes that he was crucified by the Romans acting under the advice of the Jewish religious leaders of that time; and that after his brutal execution managed to regain life and proceed out of his tomb and sometime later made himself visible to his disciples.
The IAC further recognizes that Islam includes Jesus as one of the holy prophets preceding the Prophet Muhammad SWT; but Muslims do not acknowledge that Jesus was the son of God nor that he was crucified.
The IAC understands that Buddhists claim that Jesus was a monk who spent his ‘missing years’ between the ages of 13 and 29 in the Himalayas as a student of sages and that he visited many places in the Indian sub-continent and even Tibet.
The IAC is of the opinion that the teachings of Yehshua are universally held to be good and thus encompasses all of the great religions of the world including Sanatan Dharma.
The IAC acknowledges that festivities will occur on Easter Monday which is characterized by flying of kites and enormous consumption of alcoholic beverages and so, the organization calls upon all revellers to raise their kites in open areas devoid of electrical wires and have regard for the practice of no drinking and driving.
The IAC calls upon all Guyanese to follow the teachings of Yehshua who preached peace on earth, forgiveness and goodwill towards mankind, which are necessary goals for the development of a unified Guyana.
The IAC takes this opportunity to wish Christians of all denominations a solemn Good Friday and a Happy Easter.

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