Masjid Al Nur ‘The Light’ commissioned in La Parfaite Harmonie

“The existence of places of worship helps to forge religious harmony” – CIOG president

Masjid Al Nur, constructed in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was on Saturday, July 30, declared open and handed over to the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) by Mrs Sahidan Ramroop. The event saw the attendance of more than 1500 persons from all walks of life and religious backgrounds.

Masjid Al Nur was constructed at a cost of Gy$70 million and was donated to the community by Mrs Sahidan Ramroop on the occasion of her 75th birthday. She dedicated the place of worship in memory of her parents, Azeez and Rasulan Khan.

Azeez Khan hailed from northwest frontier India, which is now Pakistan.

Rasulan Khan was born in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, India; was brought to Guyana as a child, and grew into adulthood in West Bank Demerara.

The mosque was handed over on the eve of Ramadan, an important month for the Muslim community. 

The land on which Masjid Al Nur sits was donated by the government of Guyana.

The Masjid has 3,700 square feet of space, with male and female sections for prayers, and can accommodate up to 800 persons at a time.

It is equipped with all modern amenities, is fully carpeted, and has an exquisite chandelier. A house built alongside the Masjid was constructed for the Imam/caretaker.

Masjid Al Nur sports giant coloured domes and emirates, making it one of the outstanding buildings in the region.

CIOG head Fazel Ferouz, in his address to the gathering, noted that the Masjid will be a place of solace and prayer for Muslims in the community.

Shaik Moeen Ul Hack commended Mrs Ramroop for paying respect to her parents, and noted that the tribute to her ancestors would be a blessing for generations of her family to come. “He who builds a place of worship for God Almighty, God Almighty will build for him a home in Paradise,” the Muslim leader recited from the Qur’an. He added that Masjid Al Nur, now numbered among 140 other Masjids in the country, is proof of the strong faith and commitment towards religious tolerance in Guyana. The existence of places of worship helps to forge religious harmony, Shaik Moeen said.

 

He further advised especially the young to take heed and honour their parents, since “no child can prosper if their parents are not pleased with them.” President Bharrat Jagdeo, who unveiled the plaque at the Masjid, noted that the humility of the Ramroop family ought to be commended. Jagdeo said tolerance, respect, dignity, and grace are “learned behaviours that are taught in a person’s family.” The president noted that many more families need to be tolerant and bring their children up in the same fashion. “An entire society revolves around the family; and if our children grow up not being bigoted, but being broadminded and tolerant to diverse views, and without being arrogant about the way they conduct themselves and their business, then our society will be a changed place and the world would be the place we wish it could be.” He called on parents to work more with their children to keep the important things in life. The president also singled out the CIOG for its work in Guyana. “Your efforts to change Guyana and efforts at charity are well recognised throughout the country, and government appreciates the work you do.”

PPP/C presidential candidate Donald Ramotar noted that the tolerance and co- existence of religion in Guyana did not come about by accident, but by early policies of the PPP government during its founder, Dr Jagan’s time. Ramotar added that despite strides away from stigma in countries like Guyana, rampant ignorance about Islam still exists in other countries, particularly in the developed world.

“Ignorance is a terrible enemy of people, and it is the ignorance of Islam that is causing a lot of problems in some parts of the world,” he said.

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, a Muslim, urged that those using the Masjid work hard to maintain and upkeep its beauty.

Also present and giving remarks at the opening ceremony were representatives of the main religious denominations in Guyana.

Pandit Jagmohan of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha said that the Masjid is a beautiful edifice that is like no other gift which supports cooperation and unity of the people.

Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission, Bishop Juan Edghill, said that the commissioning of the Islamic centre is a message that people are free to worship and observe any religion of their choice.

Despite the heavy rain, the Masjid compound was packed to capacity, with the opening supplication done by Iman Warris Alli.

The welcome and history of the project was done by Dr Bobby Ramroop; and this was followed by the citations and translation from the Holy Qur’an by Shaik Kayume.

There were two excellent Qaseedas by Goolzar Namdar and K. Baksh. Also speaking at the occasion was Hajji Mohamed Shaheed from New York, and Dr Basil Mangra.

The closing supplication was done by Iman Shaheed Mohamed.