ACIC hosts International Eid programme

ACIC - Feb 2012Georgetown: The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) will be the venue to the 10th Annual International Eid Fest Program, held to observe the Eid-ul-Fitr Holiday (the festival marking the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan).

This year’s program will continue to carry an international theme with attendance of representatives from Muslim organizations in Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Holland, United States of America and Canada.

The event, which was first observed in 2003, is hosted by the (ACIC) and the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman. The leaders of all Muslim organizations as well as the jamaats from across Guyana have been invited to be a part of this unique program which will be held on Sunday August 11, 2013 at 1.00PM or 13.00HRS at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex, West Coast Demerara Guyana. 

Also invited are members of Government, Members of the Opposition Parties, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, other religious and social groups and a wide cross section of persons from civil society.

Special Guest for this program is World renowned Muslim Scholar Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed of Trinidad & Tobago. Dr. Mohammed was born in Trinidad & Tobago where he obtained his primary and secondary education. On successfully completing his GCE O’Levels, he travelled to Karachi, Pakistan where he obtained his GCE A’Level passes and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the  University of Karachi, Pakistan. Thereafter he attended the Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies, Darajah Al Kamil Institute, Pakistan. In 1972, he obtained his Masters (MA) in Islamic Studies at the University of Karachi. He then attended Aleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies, Darajah Al Aliyah Institute in Karachi and in 1975 he obtained his Doctorate (PHD) in Comparative Religion at the University of Karachi, the first Trinidad & Tobago national to do so. Before leaving for Pakistan in 1968, he taught at ASJA School, San Fernando, Trinidad for six (6) years and on his return to the twin island in 1975 and until 1990, he was the assigned Muslim missionary of that country for the reputable Muslim World League (MWL), based in Saudi Arabia.  From 1990 to 2002 (when he retired) he served as the Regional Director (Caribbean and South America) of the MWL.  He served as Secretary of the Rio Claro Jamaat in Trinidad, as well as in several positions within ASJA, the nation’s largest Islamic organization. He was also the Principal of the famed Hajji Ruknudeen School of Higher Islamic education and founder / Principal (to date) of Markaz Al Ihsan (Center of Refinement) based in the twin island. He served in numerous local and international organizing and advisory positions over the years and was the Editor of “The Minaret” in Karachi Pakistan. On the political scene, he served as Senator of the Upper House of Trinidad’s Parliament from 1981-86. He was the Editor of several magazines including “Al Ilm” & “The Muslim World”. He has written over thirty Islamic Books, a feat no other Caribbean Muslim Scholar can equal. Maulana Waffie is one of the most respected scholars in the Caribbean and further and travelled extensively to deliver hi unique presentations. While serving in several of his International positions during the 1980’s, he visited Guyana many times as guest of the Muslim community here, through the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA/SADR). The veteran Muslim Scholar is bound to turn back memories within the Guyanese Muslim community here when he visits and will be received with great love from the older generation as well as great awe from the younger generation. He has to his credit, numerous appearances in the local and international media.