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Minister
of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manzoor Nadir (fifth from left) before
Youman Nabi observances began yesterday at the CIOG headquarters, met members of
a delegation visiting from Suriname.
From
left, outside Town Hall on Mackenzie's Republic Avenue, taking salute at march
past are Mr. Mortimer Mingo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Chief
Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen and IMC Chairman Orrin Gordon. (Joe
Chapman photo)
GOVERNMENT
has reiterated its position that it will guarantee the protection of the rights
of all religion and will not allow any of its policy decisions to affect
religious holiday observances.
This
assurance was given by Tourism Minister, Mr. Manzoor Nadir yesterday during a
ceremony at the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (GIOG) headquarters,
Woolford Avenue, where a few hundreds gathered to observe Youman Nabi.
Speaking
on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo, Mr. Nadir, who embraces the Islamic
faith, said people may have been confused by media reports during last week as
the National Assembly was preparing to approve two new national holidays -
Arrival Day May 5 and Independence Day May 26.
He said
the Youman Nabi ceremony, though religious in nature, was the appropriate forum
to clear the air on rumors circulating about the removal of Youman Nabi as a
holiday in favour of Eid-ul-Adha.
A committee was established to review the Public Holidays Act and one of the recommendations that came out of that discussion was that there be consultations with the Muslim Community to determine whether Youman Nabi or Eid-ul-Adha would be the national holiday.
On this
particular discussion, it was not that the Parliamentary Select Committee was in
favour of one of the holidays over the other. But there was a recommendation
based on the submission of one organization that there be consultations, the
Minister explained.
For both
holidays there are very good arguments in favour of each, but nationally, the
reality is that there will be two public holidays that will be given to the
Muslim Community, like the Hindu and Christian Communities as well.
The Hindu
national holidays are Phagwah and Diwali, while the Christians observe Christmas
and Easter as their national holidays.
A
section of the gathering at the CIOG Youman Nabi observances.
Prayers
as Youman Nabi was being observed.