His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, graced the Alexander Village Mandir in Georgetown on Sunday night for the eighth night of the annual Navratri festival, a significant Hindu tradition that spans nine nights.
In his brief speech, President Ali expressed his joy in joining the devotees in reflecting on the principles and teachings of Hinduism, particularly stressing the importance of self-reflection in today’s society.
Navratri, a nine-night Hindu festival, is celebrated with great enthusiasm by millions worldwide. President Ali’s presence at the Alexander Village Mandir underscored the values of unity and interfaith harmony, emphasizing the significance of spiritual contemplation in our contemporary world.
It showcased President Ali’s commitment to cultural diversity and the idea that by embracing various cultural and religious practices, we can build a more inclusive and harmonious society.
He pointed out that…
“Because if we do a lot of self-reflection and we place ourselves in the entity or the problem or the situation of the one who is facing that problem or that entity that is being affected, then our approach to the way we treat that entity, that person … would be very much different,” the head of state underscored.
The President emphasized that Guyana’s multicultural and varied population had the potential to reshape the global perception of humanity.
He questioned, “How do we use our society? How do we use the way we structure our society? How do we use the lessons of our society to reshape how the world views the human entity?”
President Ali underscored the potential role that religions like Hinduism could play in reshaping the world’s perception of humanity, emphasizing how the principles and values inherent in these faiths can promote tolerance, understanding, and unity in a diverse society like Guyana.
The President also stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing, particularly with the younger generation, to foster a shared purpose and a more enlightened society. By equipping the youth and others with valuable information and insights, President Ali believes that Guyana can take significant steps towards becoming a beacon of multicultural harmony and progress that can inspire the rest of the world.
“One of the important things in Hinduism is that we have to transfer knowledge. We have to pass down knowledge … and that is why these periods of fasting are important because these periods of fasting are structured in a way spiritually.”
President Ali called upon the devotees to offer prayers for their leaders, recognizing the pivotal role these leaders have played in preserving and sustaining the vitality of Hinduism.
At the same time, Dr. Ashni Singh, the Senior Minister in the Office of the President responsible for Finance, who was accompanying the president, commended the leadership of the mandir for their outstanding efforts in safeguarding and promoting the practice of the religion.
“When I look around the mandir, I see some very young people, and I know that this religious and spiritual legacy of ours will be handed down to them in an even stronger fashion,” he stated.
People come together during Navratri to celebrate Durga, the mother goddess.
Special Reporter, Georgetown, Guyana