Anna Catherina Islamic Complex launches support desks

The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) will launch a system of support desks commencing with the first on June 22 to specifically address issues affecting Muslims and the community at large.

According to a press release from the ACIC, the project will be spearheaded by Magistrate and Attorney-at-Law, Fazil Azeez and will specifically address concerns “which have failed to receive the necessary attention over the years.”

The announcement was made by Hakeem Khan, the President General of the organisation at a gala event hosted by the ACIC in celebration of the fourth highest national award in the Order of Service, the Golden Arrow of Achievement, being bestowed to the organisation for “its outstanding and consistent promotion and execution of programmes and activities within the Muslim community as well as the wider Guyanese community.”

The idea, according to the release is to address concerns “we deem genuine” and “not to give the government more issues than it has inherited, but to relieve the Ministers and officers of the lines of people outside their offices to address issues.”

Further, “If we can handle them [concerns] at our level and then seek audience with the relevant officers and agencies, then much success can be achieved.”

It is expected that “similar desks will be established across this country,” the release said but “given the nature of the ACIC, while the desks will be set up within the Muslim community, it will also be open to non-Muslims too.”

In the functioning of the desk, “Personnel will interview persons with their issues, record and take statements and copies of documents if necessary and will have a time span to address the said issues with the relevant authorities; the result will then be communicated.”

The gala also served to honour the newly elected President and Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo, both of whom were present at the event.