Dear Editor,
The points made by Freddie Kissoon in his latest letter are noted. Living in Guyana, one concludes, ensures one has an accurate take on events and people there. The dissension and differences among people living there about the same events must be due to other reasons.
A note from Fazeel Ferouz published elsewhere in the media proves, definitively, that even living in Guyana as Freddie Kissoon does, will not save one from making egregious errors. The previous point he made about CIOG’s involvement with the IAC has been shown to be a misrepresentation, as Bro Fazeel points out. I think that the characterisation of Muslims, a group with a social psychology distinct to itself, has to be carefully done. The sub-set of the Indo Guyanese community is less prone to suicide and some social problems. Hindus, proud militant and creative people here as in the wider Caribbean, have, for the most part, observably different lifestyles. It is a point to be borne in mind when we talk about ‘Indians.’ In terms of racial practice, Muslims have held in their ranks prominent members of the African community such as Hamilton Bilal Green or Norman Mclean in the past. They have had people like myself, and, as Fazeel Ferouz says, there is nothing in our faith that allows racism. I think the CIOG, known as a group that has always worked for reconciliation not only of ethnic groups but of trends within the Muslim community that had differences, is an organisation that has proven itself.
As for the part about Vishnu Bisram, let us leave that aside. We do not need to live in Guyana to be aware of the mutual aversion of the two men. Let us move on to more interesting matters. On Mr Bisram, as many other people at various times, Freddie has his feelings and I, mine. He needs to remember that he has lived longer in the place or on this earth than I have. Possibly he knows things we do not.
Yours faithfully,
Abu Bakr
