In an answer to the president’s call for a National Day of Fasting and prayers, a grand interfaith meeting is scheduled for the Arthur Chung Conference Center on April 8 at 15:30h. The meeting according to the Office of the President, will see presentations, prayers, songs and reflections from the three major religious groups.
Members of all religious groups are invited, and specific areas for each religious group to pray will be allocated.
In keeping with his vision of ‘One Guyana’ initiative aimed at ensuring every citizen is accorded a dignified existence with due respect to their rights and equality before the law, President Irfaan Ali on Monday called on religious bodies to unite under the banner of ‘One Guyana’ for a National Day of Fasting. For those who will not be fasting, simply praying is urged.
The call for a national day of fasting and prayers is designated as three significant religious observances are overlapping in the same month. Christians are observing Lent, Hindus are observing Chaitra Navratri and Muslims are observing Ramadan.
According to the office of the president “This rare occurrence offers a meaningful opportunity for Guyanese from all religious persuasions to come together to pray for Guyana.”
President Ali during the call for the National Day of Fasting had said that he sees the day as an opportunity for religious bodies and persons from all belief systems to join to promote the spirit of togetherness.
“I would like all of us to fast together, pray together, and stay together as ‘One Guyana’” he said.
The President had echoed that the ‘One Guyana’ vision springs from Guyana’s rich multicultural heritage and the need to ensure that diversity remains a source of strength and not an instrument of division and disaffection.