A national holiday for Jews, leave the national motto alone

Sep 07, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

His Excellency President Ali was recently mentioned in the press for his statements during the launch of the International Symposium on the legacy of Islam in the Caribbean. The press stated, “The Head of State said that Guyana has the greatest example in the way its people live, collaborate, cooperate, and in the way they come together, respecting each other when it comes to religious tolerance and religious integration”. In the press His Excellency also spoke against Islamophobia. Also, First Vice President, Prime Minister Mark Phillips was mentioned in the press as stating that the PPP/C Government remains committed to fostering inclusivity and equity. It is great to hear that these two leaders of the government are committed to ensuring every Guyanese has a place in our society.

Therefore, the call for the inclusion of the local Jewish community in Guyana should not be neglected. In 2021 Israel donated $2M USD in PPE to Guyana. This was after Guyana had voted in support of a Palestinian State in 2011 and the government’s recognition of the State of Palestine in 2019. Furthermore, the history of the involvement of those who embrace the teachings of the Torah (the holy book of the Jews) in Guyana, was also a part of L.F.S. Burnham’s Presidency. During His Excellency President Burnham’s time he had embraced the inclusion of this community by recognizing Yom Kippur as a National Holiday. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement observed by all Jews. In keeping with the current administration’s objectives of inclusivity, equity, mutual respect, religious tolerance and religious integration, it is only just that the holiday of Yom Kippur be once again observed as a National Holiday. This proposal was put forward to the Government in late 2022, but to date the Ali Administration has not responded nor shown interest in the Jewish community being a part of the One Guyana initiative.

CRG believes that our Nation’s motto still holds true today and that we as Guyanese should always embrace those who are a part of our citizenry. This should be done independent of race, religion, ethnicity and gender. Personal preference and bias should never interfere in our Nation’s decision making. Inclusion is the foundation upon which a diverse multicultural society is built. Our multicultural roots must continue to be reflected in our food, culture, holidays and festivities. The exclusion of any minority group will result in our inability as a Nation to achieve the objectives of our National Motto. Our Motto should never be replaced nor changed to suit personal ambitions. The motto has been enshrined in our Constitution and is an integral part of our national identity. One People, One Nation, One Destiny doesn’t mean that the “One” belongs only to those who are in Government. The “One” refers to all citizens of Guyana. Let’s come together as “One” and do the correct thing by ensuring that all Guyanese have a place at the table and that no “One” is excluded. This includes those who we have historically had problems with in other parts of the world.

If our citizens are of a faith that has previously been an enemy of our personal faith, we must still recognize them as a part of our Nation. This stands true for Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews and Rastafarians. Part of the beauty of Guyana is our ability to find a common purpose and a solution that allows us to peacefully coexist. We must as a nation return to peaceful coexistence by making Guyana truly a place where inclusion and equity is a way of life. However, those who have mal intent must be excluded. CRG does not believe that such mal intent goes beyond individual actions or the actions of a limited number of individuals. We do not believe that what happens elsewhere in the world must also happen within our Nation’s borders. To think otherwise would cause further division amongst our people. This is why we are still a land where all Indians can live as we did before partition. Where a Temple / Mandir and a Mosque / Masjid may be found in the same street and community. This is why we are still a land of six people pursuing living as ‘One People in One Nation with One Destiny’. Let’s continue our efforts to come together and continue to sow the seeds of cooperation, inclusivity, equity, mutual respect, religious tolerance and religious integration.

Best regards,

Mr. Jamil Changlee

Chairman

The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

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• Chairman, Mark Phillip, Mr. Jamil Changlee, Prime Minister, Vice President

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