The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) says it is disgusted at the gruesome murder of elderly Essequibo resident Surspattie Ramlakhan, while noting that a return to the values that respect the sanctity of life must be inculcated in the youth.
“Such incidents are visited upon our citizenry with an uncomfortable regularity, and the time for positive and productive action is now,” the group said in a press release. The CIOG is particularly appalled as the majority of the citizenry follow and practice teachings of great religions that promote the sanctity, preservation, dignity and respect for life. However, the group is aware that these values are bring diluted.
“We need to return to the original values that prevailed in Guyana… these values can only be achieved if it is inculcated in our youths by education and a replanting of the seed of morality, decency and achievement by hard work,” the group said. Further, the CIOG said, “Our communities need to take heed the saying that ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’” Neighbours must practice being each other’s keeper, look into the welfare of the poor, single people living alone, the disabled, the weak and the sick. “This can be achieved if we remove the self-centred attitudes and acknowledge that the welfare, needs and wants of others are interconnected and are an integral part of our building a safe and sound society,” the CIOG opined.
The group urges the nation to practice humanity and offer support and protection to each other in order to eliminate ignorance, violence and greed as “this scourge of hate, violence, immorality and decadence will not augur well for our future generation.”
The CIOG extended sympathies to Ramlakhan’s grieving relatives and to all the families that have lost loved ones in similar manner.
Ramlakhan, 74, who was fondly known as ‘Aunty Carmen,’ was found dead in her home on the Essequibo Coast a week ago. An autopsy confirmed that she suffered multiple injuries.
