Georgetown: The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) Saturday evening honoured Head of State, David Granger, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and other members of the Cabinet on their ascension to office. The event also served as a thanksgiving for the entity’s award of the Golden Arrow of Achievement which was announced on May 26.
Being an honorary member of the ACIC, the Head of State said he was privileged to be back at the Complex addressing his fellow brothers and sisters, not just as a brother, but also as their President.
The gathering was also assured that while they have seen the Head of State attending the ACIC in a different capacity in the past, going forward there will be many other visits. President Granger thanked the members of the Complex for the support they have shown the Coalition.
The Head of State charged the ACIC to set a task which they should strive to accomplish over the next 11 months as Guyana moves into its 50th year of Independence.
“Set yourselves a task over the next 11 months to have something you can measure in terms of overcoming ignorance, crime, disease, set yourself objectives…” the Head of State urged.
Crimes, disease, ignorance and poverty, President Granger said are the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” in society that need to be challenged and overcome.
Citing the ACIC as an institution that has been working towards ridding society of these social ills, the President urged the Complex to continue in the same vein.
Speaking specifically to the Complex being bestowed with the National Award, President Granger said the honour was rightly earned and well deserved.
“The award of the Golden Arrow of Achievement did not fall from the sky, it was hammered out by the work you have done…”
Special mention was made of the ACIC’s President, Hakeem Khan for his sterling contributions to the complex, and most importantly the contributions of the body to the communities it serves.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who also delivered brief remarks at the thanksgiving ceremony expressed similar sentiments.
“I want to say that this Complex deserves much more than the award that was given to all its members for the work it has done among the Muslim and Guyanese community for many years.”
As politicians, the Prime Minister said it is now upon them to live out the creed of peace and tolerance that is exhibited by Muslims.
The Prime Minister hailed the Complex’s members for their spiritual support shown to the Coalition, and most importantly for their commitment to moral revival in Guyana.
“We are not today fighting for space as two political parties, we may be many political parties, but today we are one government, and we are working for one Guyana so congratulations for the complex having worked for this award for supporting change and moral rejuvenation in Guyana.”
The Prime Minister also committed to making himself more available to the complex and the communities its members serve.
The ACIC would be receiving the Golden Arrow of Achievement Award for their outstanding service to the community in the West Demerara area. This is the first time in the history of Guyana that a Muslim group would receive such a prestigious award.
Throughout the evening’s proceedings congratulatory messages from locals and those further afield, were coming in, as the event was being broadcast live in Trinidad.
The ACIC also presented awards to the President, the Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet on their appointments.
An award was also presented to executive member of the ACIC, Mr. Fazil Azeez for his outstanding contribution to the complex. Azeez is recovering from an injury, and his son Gibran made a heartfelt speech and accepted the award.
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