Georgetown: The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) has received Guyana’s Fourth Highest National Award in the Order of Service – The Golden Arrow of Achievement, for its outstanding and consistent promotion and execution of programs and activities within the Muslim community as well as the wider Guyanese community. The announcement of the Award was made at Guyana’s Independence Day Celebrations at the National Stadium for the inauguration of His Excellency President David Granger. ACIC is the first Muslim organization in the history of this country to have been recognized as such and confer with a national Award.
President General of ACIC, Hakeem Khan, in expressing his jubilation for the award, thanked the Government of Guyana, especially His Excellency President David Granger, for the recognition and stated that the Board of Management, all members and affiliated organizations across the world, are elated at the announcement of the National Award to ACIC. He credited this Award to the hard work and dedication of all the members of ACIC who tirelessly support his administration in the execution of the numerous programs and activities at this Complex, which is recognized as the leading Muslim center in Guyana.
The President General of ACIC also stated that his organization is indeed truly humbled to be given this National recognition and extended his heartfelt thanks to the Government for elevating ACIC to this status of a National Award Recipient. Khan also stated that it will be fitting of ACIC to also accept the award on behalf of all those persons who have made contributions to the development of ACIC in its over 75 years of existence. Because of their courage and persistence for many decades, ACIC can, today, celebrate the spectacular award. ACIC consistently strives to make a difference from the gates of this institution which has on its membership, many non-Muslims and even Pastors and Pandits.
According to Khan, this Award must be measured by the happiness of our people in this historic gesture for our sacrifices over the decades, to have gained the recognition of the Government. He pointed out that the remarkable work of ACIC was stifled of governmental recognition in the past, but he stated, his administration was not daunted by that as it continued to work to create a society which recognizes that all people are born equal with equal entitlement to the amenities of life, liberty, prosperity, human rights and good governance.
“This Award will propel us to make an even greater contribution to the Guyanese society through the great values that our beautiful religion of Islam has taught us. We will stand closely with the forces of inclusion in our country and vigorously oppose the forces that seek to impose racial and religious insecurities in our peoples” said the President General. He added “this Award must be seen as an encouragement to other religious groups to take principled stand against issues without fear. We believe all religions pursue the same goals – that of promoting human goodness and values with the aim of bringing happiness to all mankind. Though the means may appear different the ends are the same”.
ACIC will shortly announce a thanksgiving program to celebrate this Award
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