Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
Pres. Ali holds Phagwah celebrations at State House
…calls on world leaders to seek peace through dialogue
(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali has called on world leaders to seek peace through dialogue amidst the rising tensions in the Middle East. On Saturday the US and Israeli military forces have attacked Iran killing that country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei which has resulted in rising conflict in several Middle Eastern States.
In an address at a Phagwah celebration on the lawns of State House, president called on world leaders to seek peace through dialogue rather than through acts of war. He called “upon all the stakeholders, all the countries in the Gulf, Israel, Iran, the US and everyone, to allow the table of conversation to supersede the table of strength and let the table of conversation deliver lasting peace with respect, with the rule of law, with freedom, with dignity and with honour.”
Scenes from the Phagwah celebration hosted by President Irfaan Ali at State House on Monday.
He asserted “…everybody wants peace, but in their opinion, the road to peace is war. For us in Guyana, we say the road to peace is dialogue. The road to peace is promoting and ensuring that we don’t remove ourselves from the table of conversation. When we remove ourselves from the table of conversation, we will not be able to hear each other; we’ll not be able to listen to each other.”
The Head-of-State called on Guyanese to remember those facing war in the Middle East even as they observe the Hindu festival of Phagwah. “My dear friends, brothers and sisters, today, we, as a country, we are fortunate to be able to gather in such peace, such harmony and such colour. All of the world today is not as fortunate as we are to gather in such a unique manner, and as we celebrate this very symbolic occasion when good exceeds everything that is not good, that is evil, when good is the foundation upon which every single person thrives to be, we do so not unaware of the current global situation,” Ali said.
He continued “Therefore, all of us in this season of fasting, in this season of goodwill, and on this occasion, when we seek to elevate everything that is good and to remove everything that is bad and evil, on this occasion, I ask you to remember the rest of the world, especially in the Middle East and other places where war, conflict and destruction is occurring every second,”
He asked patrons to spare a thought for particularly the women and children. “We’ve already seen in this war the disproportionate manner, more women and children are affected than anyone else.”
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