Dear Editor,
Congratulations to The Arts Journal for another spectacular edition.
This edition will add significantly to the body on knowledge of East Indians, and especially Muslims, in Guyana, the Caribbean, and globally.
The editor’s thinking out of the box, to seek out articles that are relevant to our dispersed condition, instead of following western methods slavishly, is highly commendable. The visual images, the art of Rip Persaud (now deceased), the potters and other traditional artisans are all supremely informative.
High commendation to this editor for all her sustained and herculean efforts to keep up this well-rounded publication of the arts and humanities. Publishing is hard work and moreso for a not-for-profit institution, but hopefully, the reward will be seen in the society, however slowly.
I particularly enjoyed reading about the first Indian Muslims in British Guiana. Research had lagged behind on Mus-lims. Reading the Interview, ‘Muslims in Guyana,’ with Hajji Ayube Hamid Khan brought back many wonderful memories. Myself, my brother Amir, and my Dad worked at HB Gajraj, and once monthly we would travel to Essequibo, for a 5 days trip, to take customers’ orders. We stayed at Sardar Mohamed’s House at Danielstown, Esse-quibo. Sardar was very close to the Gajrajs. Hajji Ayube is correct, Sardar was multi-
lingual. My grandmother Sirijan, spoke in Urdu, Arabic, and Farsi.
Incidentally, I read Namaz in the Blue Mosque, met their Head Imam, and he allowed my wife, Dr Maryann (Head Imam, said) to be the first American woman, to be in the Blue Mosque’s religious prayers area.
I was very sad to read on page 123, the embassy visa officer’s comments, that, “Times have changed.” So sad; better days are coming, Inshah Allah.
I would recommend the Journal’s editor to conduct more interviews of prominent personalities who have played their part in making history in our society. ‘Guiana 1838,’ is also very informative and enjoyable. The visual art section with its picture gallery is stunning and, indeed, I found the articles provocative.
Congratulations to the editor on her forthcoming novel. I enjoyed reading every word of this awesome chapter and can’t wait to read the entire novel.
Also, high praise for the ‘Arts Page’ Sunday columns and for whetting the appetite of readers with serious literary material.
Yours faithfully,
Professor Shamir A Ally
