Muslim groups honour Fazil Azeez

Two Muslim groups in Guyana on Saturday honoured former magistrate and veteran broadcaster Fazil Azeez for his contributions to Guyana in the field of broadcasting.

Azeez was honoured among a list of persons including President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo at the National Islamic Award ceremony held at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC). The ceremony was hosted jointly by the ACIC and the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman, a press release from the ACIC said.

Azeez has over 40 years of experience as a radio announcer and served as the General Manager of the now defunct Guyana Broadcasting Corporation until he resigned to go overseas to complete his law degree. A lawyer by profession, Azeez would have worked with most of the Islamic organizations in the country and is a member of the committee of Management of the Kitty Jamaat. In recent years he has attended the ACIC regularly and works closely with that group.

Fazil Azeez’s son (right) receiving the award from President David Granger (ACIC photo)
Fazil Azeez’s son (right) receiving the award from President David Granger (ACIC photo)

The National Islamic Awards Committee was created in 1997 and based at the ACIC. Its prestigious award is given to persons and organizations, both local and overseas, who have contributed significantly to the development of Islam in Guyana.

Azeez is currently bed-ridden after being shot by a lone gunman during an attempted robbery on April 25. His son collected the award on his behalf and thanked the Muslim community, particularly the ACIC for recognising his father. He also thanked the community for their prayers and asked that they continue same as his father recovers.

President General of the ACIC Hakeem Khan called on the government to launch a full investigation into the shooting with the aim of bringing the perpetrator to justice.