Embracing Our Spirituality - Guyana Chronicle

Source: Guyana Chronicle

GUYANESE are a deeply religious people. Roughly 90 per cent of the population belong to one of the three major religions, namely Christianity, Hinduism or Islam. According to the most recent statistics, the majority of Guyanese practice Christianity, (52.4 per cent) followed by Hinduism (31 per cent) and Islam, 7.5 per cent. Another five per cent or so do not belong to any religion.

The Constitution of Guyana provides for freedom of religion and worship including the right to choose and change one's religion. There is a high degree of respect for religious diversity and religious tolerance.

At the level of the state, there is no state religion or state-sponsored religion. Guyana is a secular state which means there is no role for the state in the promotion or inculcation of religious education in public schools. Religious practices, however, are encouraged and facilitated by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C administration. Several religious festivities are hosted by President Ali and held at the State House, an indication of the high premium placed on our multiculturalism and diversity.

Our embrace of spirituality is influenced in large measure by our religiosity. But our spirituality also transcends religion. It is also about our sense of patriotism and oneness, our shared culture and values which define us as a society.

As noted by President Ali, our spirituality must be embraced. Joining hundreds of Hindus at the Cove and John Ashram to celebrate Maha Shivatri, the President emphasised the importance of national unity as embodied in the life and teachings of Lord Shiva

According to the President, we are once again blessed with a country that is muti-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-spiritual with a convergence of fasting rituals as embodied in the Festival of Maha Shivaratri, Lent and Ramadan emanating from Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.

This convergence, President Ali said, provided for us all to pay our respects to a higher power and allows for a coming together of all Guyanese through selfless acts under the banner of being better human beings towards themselves and each other.

Spirituality is an integral part of our overall development. This point was emphasised by the President when he said: "To have the highest level of education, enabling them to be empowered with the gift of education and enabling them to be in school by supporting their attendance through different programmes such as the Because We Care grants. These are all part of the spirituality of the government; these are all part of the humanness of the government that spirituality requires."

The fact is that spirituality and humanity have always been a core philosophical outlook embodied in the DNA of the PPP/C administration. Governing with people in mind or people-oriented development aimed at enhancing the material, cultural and spiritual well-being of all Guyanese has always been central to the policies and programmes of the PPP/C administration since the very inception.

President Ali and the PPP/C must be commended for the strong measures it has been taking to create a society in which there is economic and social justice and where each and every Guyanese, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation is provided with the opportunity to grow both materially and spiritually to the full limit of their potential.