Islam’s role in the cultivation of sugar and some notable Guyanese

Aug 30, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I take this opportunity to write on the subject of religion. To begin, I must mention how sugar cultivation played a role in shaping religious identity in Guiana.

As early as 1634, sugar was being cultivated at Kyk-Over-Al, Fort Island located in Essequibo where the Mazaruni River meets the Cuyuni River.

The word Kyk-Over-Al comes from Dutch for “see over all”. In around 1616, the Dutch established a colony on this 1.5-acre island and by 1637, they were exporting sugar cane to Holland where it was used to manufacture sugar. Guiana at the time did not have a mill to process the cane juice into sugar. It is interesting to note that the main export from Guiana at the time was annatto which is an orange-red condiment and food colouring and derived from the seeds of the Achiote tree. The Indigenous communities in Guiana cultivated annatto and traded it to the Dutch for an export market.

By 1674, the Dutch commander, Hendrick Rol, established in number of sugar plantations to be cultivated by African slaves. Five plantations were established in Berbice at that time with the number of slaves in the colony being in the hundreds. The African slaves can be credited for bringing Islam to these shores. By the end of the 17th century, Islam was already in place in Guiana.

Islamic practices were possible and there is some evidence that while Islam was not practiced as an established communal religion, Islamic rituals were observed by individuals and small groups. Slavery officially ended in 1834 and this followed the period of Indentureship which included a number of Muslims being brought to Guiana from the British colonized India. During this period, it was possible for both African and East Indians to observe their religious practices, to travel in the country and become organized.

The first Masjid was built in the 1860’s either at Philadelphia on the East Bank of Essequibo or No. 78 village in Corentyne, Berbice. The first organization, Jamiatul Ulama-E-Deen of British Guiana was founded in 1934 to provide religious leadership and education to the Muslims in what was then British Guiana.

In 1936, the Islamic Association of Guyana was formed followed by the Sadr Anjumain in 1939 to unify all the various organizations under one umbrella. In 1948, the Islamic Association agreed to merge with the Sadr and form the United Sadr Islamic Anuman (USIA) of British Guiana.

The Muslims of Guyana enjoyed a period of rapid progress and development. However, in the 1960’s, the Muslim leaders got involved politically and formed a Muslim political party which was a disgrace and perhaps a detriment to the community as a whole.

In the years, between 1964 and 1978, a number of Muslim organizations were founded which claimed to have national, international and regional representation of the Muslims of Guyana.

This fractured landscape took place to fill the vacuum created due to a major split in the USIA. The 1970’s was marked by the disunity and confusion within the community. The leader of one faction sat with one side of the political division while another side with the other faction of the political division. The disunity, organization in-fighting, proliferation of many smaller organizations and their claims to leadership, had a devastating effect on the Muslim community.

Regardless of the political divisions, Muslims have always remained in kind and caring community that refused to compromise the tenets and principles of their religion. My ancestors were Muslims. My great grandmother who had five children was born in British Guiana and practiced Islam with sincerity and dedication.

Her last son was one of Guyana’s legal geniuses and he had died a few weeks ago. His name was Rex H McKay born Samuel Haniff and his last rites were performed at the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) complex in Georgetown. Over the years, I’ve come to personally know Mohamed Haniff my uncle and Mr. Ahmad Ali of Nandy Park.

His widow, Fazeela Ali, treated me like I was her brother and I too, treated her like she was my sister although we are not related by blood.

Let me please reflect on a few outstanding Guyanese of Islamic background, Mr. Mohammed Shahabuddeen former Attorney General, Vice President and Learned Judge of the World Court; Mr. Ayube Edum, General Secretary of the MPCA in 1936; Mr. Ayube Hamid who made his name on the radio waves and his song Suhani Root even played in English Parties at midnight Old Year’s night 1950’s; Rafiz Khan made his name on radio with a local Indian performance, some of his finds are Mohan Nandes, Gobin Ram Tilak Sudama, Balandin, Bami Balkarran artists came from all over Guyana.

In Sports – is the very talented cricket Fauod Bacchus who played for Guyana and the West Indies. He was extremely talented in the field and even had 250test runs versus India for the West Indies. Also Islamic descent is Timor Mohammed, who played for Guyana and the West Indies Youth.

In Business – there was one Abdul Gafoor was opened a hardware store in Sussex Street, La Penitence in late 50s, not knowing it would become a business magnet in Guyana.

He passed the torch to his son, Sattaur Gafoor, who lead the business with dynamo and integrity; always a giver to people who need. He made a major contribution financially to the Islamic community by building Masjids and other places of worship. He also helped scores of Muslims and other people of other Religion. I cannot recall a Senior Police Officer of Islamic descent, but our present Brigadier General from the Guyana Defence Force is Mr. Omar Khan. I am writing this to attest to the beauty of Islam and to encourage others to reflect on the life of the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

Yours truly,
Mr. Frank De Abreu