All faiths provide ways of achieving harmony in the present political situation

Jul 22, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate decline in harmony, peace, and cohesion currently prevailing in our country. My concern for peace can be assessed by examining the fact that all religions and their respective doctrines all commit to the cause of peace, love, harmony, and respect. As I sit here to pen this missive, I am mind-boggled of the fact that religion has always been the first institution to instill such core values in us, but why is it that even with these sets of values, the concept of peace and harmony is so hard to attain? In Guyana alone, ninety-seven percent of the population is God-conscious.

Anyway, I say these words because it is my personal opinion that the APNU+AFC has lost the elections and they are holding on to power with a view to having a ‘technicality’ to stay in power. But then, look at what all of this is doing to Guyana.

I wish to make it pellucid that in no way am I being biased against the APNU+AFC; I am just a firm believer in upholding the values that spell out what is fair and unfair or right and wrong. I was taught to stand firm for justice without favoritism. As the Holy Quran states, “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Almighty Allah, even if it is against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Almighty Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” [Quran 4:135]

In the infamous advice embodied in the Bhagavad Gita, we see Krishna counseling Prince Arjun that his dharma is to protect the people of his kingdom: “If you do not engage in this righteous battle then both your personal dharma and your honor will be destroyed,” (The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2:33.) That being said, I wish to speak out, as I am known to do and state the fact that the APNU/AFC’s unwillingness to cooperate, along with their disrespect of our Constitution has resulted in the fragmentation of our society, the harboring of distress, fear, frustration, and uncertainty to foster in the hearts and minds of our Guyanese citizens. We, as a people, do not deserve these mental pressures. We, as a people, are in dire need of healing, for peace, and for harmony. For how long would this farce prolong? Our peoples are disjointed; mentally and physically beaten and broken by this “humanopolitico” virus that has been selfishly unleashed by those seeking aggrandizement and personal gratification. And, to add salt to our wounds, the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic makes it all the more overbearing.

It is for these reasons that I wish to take this opportunity to call on the Leaders of our two leading political parties to accept the reality of the results of the election; come together, sit down and address one of the most critical concerns of our time: the urgent need to promote harmony, respect, and understanding among adherents of various political beliefs. As the Holy Bible eloquently states, “Let us; therefore, make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Mathews 14:19). It is time to create a state of peace of mind, harmony, goodwill, and respect. It is time for President Granger, acting; and our Opposition Leader and Civil Society to take the helm, to take charge, to do something, “make all efforts” to stop this charade because what is happening in our country has been going on for far too long. This fear, anxiety, and hate nurturing in the hearts and minds of we, the citizens, need to come to an end!

My advice is this: for the longest while, I have been advocating for inclusive political governance. I have always believed that societies whose political parties are inclusive and participatory tend to be more productive and successful. I believe that the new Government when they take power should have an understanding, along with the opposition, that they should work together to create cohesion and love in society. They should create a new constitution where we can have shared governance, where we can have something like a Congress or a Senate, whereby the other percentage of the population that comprises of the opposition, can have an authority and a say in the goings-on of the country. In this way, they would not be stymied in representing their people by the powerful Government of Guyana which might win by one or two seats. We need to move pass the practice of exclusion and where the winner takes all. Societies with these processes of exclusion and “winner takes all” are more vulnerable to conflict and frailty. Inclusive democratic governance is important for the sustainability of conflict resolution and harmony. It leads to resolving systemic inequities and other root causes of conflict.

It is my hope that the new government, when they take power, heed my message of how to win hearts and minds, and study the book I recommended to them by Dale Carnegie, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” I once encouraged them to do so, but it looked like none of them heeded; except for maybe President-Elect, Dr. Irfan Ali, who seemed to have already mastered this art of winning friends.

Political leaders, I am imploring you to give peace a chance! It is the need of the hour! We, the citizens of this country are exhausted, tired, broken; for how much longer do we need to sleep with opened eyes and broken hearts? Let us all band together as One Human Family Under God to move Guyana forwards as One People, One Nation, with One Destiny.

Sincerely,
Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.