International Muslim Organisation, scholars honoured in Guyana

The Muslim community in Guyana through its National Islamic Awards Committee (NIAC) has awarded a Canadian Muslim organisation and two British Muslim scholars for their outstanding and continuous contributions to the development of the Guyanese Muslim community. The prestigious awards were conferred on International Muslims Organisation (IMO) of Toronto, Canada, Huzoor Maulana Zain ul Akhtab Siddiqi and Shaikh Esa Alexander Henderson.

The International Muslims Organisation of Toronto, Canada, the largest Muslim organisation in the Toronto area, is a non-profit, federally registered organisation in Canada, established in 1977. It is one of the more dynamic and efficient Muslim groups in Toronto, located about five minutes from the Pearson International Airport and contributes to the welfare of Muslims as well as non-Muslims in Guyana every year, through several local Muslim organisations.
It is a ‘Sunni’ traditional organisation made up of predominantly Guyanese Muslims. It accommodates over 4000 persons at times, and is one of the main centres of Guyanese Muslims in Toronto. It has been contributing to the projects and activities of several Muslim organisations. The organisation is headed by Al Haj Omar Farouk, a grandson of the late Al Haj Basheer Farouk, of Hogg Island, Essequibo and one of the pioneers of Islam in that region of Guyana.
One of the world’s respected Muslims, Huzoor Maulana Zain ul Akhtab Siddiqi, is an eminent scholar in the ranks of Ulema and is the son of the eminent Mujadid-e-Maslaqe Ahle Sunnah of the 19th Century, the late Hazrat Allama Maulana Muhammad Abdul Wahab Siddiqi (Alayhi Rahmah). He initiated the ‘Hajveri School’ of teaching and is also the founder of the ‘Suyuti Institute of Learning’, known globally. Huzoor Zain Saheb is an accomplished solicitor with his own practice, having represented in higher courts, as far as the European Court.
As an expert in both Islamic and British laws, he has provided expert evidence on intricate areas of Islamic law. Huzoor Zain Saheb is an elite speaker and dynamic personality among the ranks of the Ulema. A unique thinker of his time, his vivacious delivery has swayed the masses on a global scale. He has travelled the globe on innumerable occasions during the course of the past 20 years, delivering his message in a magnificent and eloquent manner. He is fluent in seven different languages and has mesmerised diverse audiences of up to 20,000 people, with his beautiful deliberations and unique delivery skills. Huzoor Zain Saheb is an absolute ‘mountain of knowledge’, involved in countless projects on a global scale.
Shaykh Esa Alexander Henderson is a young convert to Islam, who is gaining great fame worldwide with his presentations. Twenty years old and born in England from an English parentage, Shaykh Esa was an atheist and converted to Islam four years ago through Huzoor Zain Siddiqi. His knowledge of Islam is equivalent to a scholarly level already. He is currently studying micro medicine at a university in England.
Both of the scholars were part of the recent week-long activities in Guyana, featuring inspiring and enlightening lectures. Their visit to Guyana, together with a large delegation from IMO, brought about the unity of all the Muslim organisations in Guyana as it was seen as historic.
The awards were presented at the main programme during the tour to Guyana held at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex.