The Mohammed’s have been kind and generous 

Jun 22, 2024 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Mr. GHK Lall aptly asked “Where have all the friends of the Mohameds gone?” (KN Jun 19), suggesting they have been abandoned by their beneficiaries.  I do not have engagements with the Mohameds. I know of them from conducting surveys and from reading the media of their philanthropic, charitable work.  I also learn more about or of them from the recent publicity relating to American sanctions and the government response. People have had a positive view of their involvement in politics until now; it is not known how the US sanctions and actions taken by the Guyana government will impact on people’s views regarding their political involvement. Both the father and son are popular and well liked among sections of the country for their goodwill and acts of kindness, especially towards the less fortunate. The poor have only positive views of them.

It is recalled that a survey I conducted on the Eccles/Ramsburg constituency (# 3) on East Bank for the local government NDC found Mr. Nazar, the PPP candidate, winning by a landslide. The constituency was a PNC stronghold. Indeed, he won three to one (stand to be corrected). People switched their support from PNC because of him. People have lauded his representation ever since and would regret his departure as I understand he has resigned (political pressure?) as Councillor as a result of the American sanctions.

Nazar became the best and most effective rep of the district since its creation. In fact, his performance as a rep outshines all others in that NDC and nationally as well as among parliamentary representatives. All elected representatives should emulate him as a model to serve constituents.  People said he provided services and asked for nothing in return, no graft, no corruption, to get things done unlike many who stretched their hands to be greased. Of course, Nazar, I take it, does not depend on State resources to service his constituency.

He also assisted people outside of his constituency, people of all backgrounds. Many related stories to me (and other interviewers) in the course of polling of his and his son (Azruddin)’s kindness. Just last Sunday at a mandir in Richmond Hill, a devotee, a musician from the same village where Nazar was born and raised, related to me incidents of Nazar’s generosity in helping the less fortunate in Essequibo. He aided people of all ethnicities and faiths. The Richmond Hill devotee stated that when mandirs in Essequibo approached Nazar, or Shell as they called him, for assistance, he responded positively. I don’t t know how many Hindus owned businesses engage in corporate give backs or charities. I approached several Hindu businessmen for assistance for projects in Mandirs in depressed communities and came up blank. I funded them with personal savings from America. Nazar is commended for his philanthropy. Other business folks should emulate him.

I have not read much about his son except for his participation in car racing and acts of charities. He helped many. But in conducting political surveys, Azruddin’s name came up regularly over the last eighteen months as someone who can transform the politics of the nation. He has a very large following especially among the poorer sections of society. People of all races and religions, including Hindus and Christians, hold him in awe. The discontented, and there is a large and growing number of them, put their political faith and hope in him to help change their lives. They yearn for change. They are confident he will run for office although he made no such commitment. The disgruntled want him to run for office as they also do for Glen Lall and Nigel Hughes. All three have multi-ethnic support and among people of all religions. Hughes also has significant support among swing voters and those who have lost faith in politics; he, like the other two, can shake up the politics.

I prefer not to comment on the sanctions against the Mohameds and Ms. Mae Toussaint. But as a student of politics and international law, all humans have the same equal rights. A person is considered innocent unless otherwise pronounced by a court of law in a democracy. The law applies to all and fairly. America treats all equally and does not act without evidence.

As President Ali stated, he himself, the Mohameds and all others are subjected to the same laws in Guyana. I am certain the Mohammeds and Ms. Thomas would concur. They should not be shunned by their friends as alleged by GHK.

Yours truly,

Vishnu Bisram

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• American, generous, Mohameds, sanctions, Vishnu Bisram

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