Scores of Muslims from all over the country benefitted from lectures by International Islamic scholars when the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) hosted its National Convention 2010 two Sundays ago.
The grand activity was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara under the theme ‘Purifying
Souls: Building Communities for a Better Guyana.’
It also featured an Open House Exhibition, showcasing the work of the GIT and its arms, including the Guyana International Relief Organization and the National Islamic Sisters’ Association.
There was also a mini bazaar where a variety of delicacies, Islamic apparel and accessories, among other items were also on sale and display while a fun park for the children was set up especially for the occasion.
Dr. Jamal Badawi, an Egyptian-born Canadian professor at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia who is also a well-known author and activist, delivered the feature presentation.
His topic was based on: ‘Citizenship and Civic Engagement in a Pluralistic Society: An Islamic Perspective.’
An International Speakers’ Forum dealing with the topic: ‘Purifying Souls; Building Communities’ was also a part of the programme.
Speakers at the forum were; Tayyibah Taylor, the founder, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of a magazine, titled; Azizah – The Voice for Muslim Women as well as Dr. Arif Hussain who represented the Islamic Circle of North America and Dr. Ahmed Deif of the Muslim Association of Canada.
Taylor of the US, together with Dr. Hussain, Dr. Deif and Dr. Ahmed Zedan who represented the International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations in Egypt also presented the Foreign Delegates’ report, highlighting Islamic activities in their countries.
A recipient of a 2009 New American Media National Ethnic Journalism Award, Taylor commented that she was honoured to be the first woman to be invited to participate at the GIT Convention. That was her first visit to Guyana.
The programme also included simultaneous forums and discussions on youths, home and family, new Muslims and the Muslim community and was addressed by both local and foreign speakers.
The Murshid (leader) of the GIT, Haseeb Yusuff had earlier delivered a status report on the work of his organization which dated back to its formation in the early 70s.
Opening
Meanwhile, the convention was declared open the previous evening at the same venue in presence of a huge gathering including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and leader of the opposition, Robert Corbin.
Yusuff, in his address said the convention was happening at a time when Muslims were facing many challenges worldwide through an unjustified negative portrayal of Islam.
He called on Muslims to “propagate Islam through our noble personal example of Islamic spirituality and the strength of our moral character and integrity.”
He also urged them to become more visible in every aspect of national life and nation building.
He acknowledged that, “Muslims in Guyana must do much more to address the dire needs of the poor and downtrodden in our society.”
Yusuff pointed out that apart from giving regular Charity, Muslims “must go further in fulfilling their social and civic responsibilities. We must play a lead role in reducing poverty, illiteracy, racial disharmony and immorality in our society.”
