Religious leaders should be building bridges and not barriers
In a shrinking world, where diversity of culture and faith is becoming more prolific in communities than ever, and where newer democracies are rapidly emerging around the world, bridge building fosters understanding and creates opportunities for civic cooperation and shared work for the common good.
With this in mind, Editor, kindly permit me a space in your medium to address a letter under the caption “Masjids as COVID-19 vaccine centres” published in the Guyana Times on April 7, 2021, authored by Swami Aksharananda. The Swami highlighted some points of concern which all and sundry are free to share in a democracy, something which many Guyanese fought to maintain. However, when someone only zeros in on the negatives instead of the positives it says something about their perception and perspective of reality.
As the Imam of Meten-Meer-Zorg Masjid, I have donated and volunteered my time, energies and finances to make the communities of Region Three a better place; I will support all good things including the usage of any space freely given to assist all of humanity and not any specific religion in receiving the COVID19 vaccines, hampers, the distribution of
Old Age Pension books, and everything that is beneficial in making the lives of all human beings better. The Masjid, as all other holy places of worship, is there to help the poor, needy and downtrodden and these buildings can also be used for all other activities that are positive. If Swami Aksharananda feels left out all he simply has to do is apply to the Ministry of Health and other authorities and let them know the school and facility under his care is open for use if needed. If he believes someone will come and beg he is surely mistaken.
However, playing politics and looking for attention is not something religious leaders should embrace, instead they should focus on helping to develop society so the next generation can have a greater foundation to develop their lives to become positive and fruitful members of society. Secondly, on the issue of Masjids being used to provide food hampers by the
PPP during the early days of the pandemic. I would like to clarify that this was supported by the private sector and not any political party as is being insinuated. When the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Principal, Swami Aksharananda in October, 2019 invited former President David Granger to his school while he was trampling on the constitution and delaying elections, he did not see the moral bankruptcy that occurred. But he zones in on activities that will benefit all Guyanese of all religious persuasions. Below is a photo attached of the activities done at the Meten-Meer-Zorg West Masjid, West Coast Demerara on Wednesday April 7, 2021; there 498 persons of all religions were vaccinated.