Dear Editor,
Relative to letters about the granting of a casino licence to premises in Church Street, a government release was expected, but none so far has been reported.
As a senior citizen in this country of my birth, I have always been aware of permission having to be granted for any application by a citizen for public singing, dancing and gambling, etc, and that this must first be published in the media by the authorities before the matter is determined, in case there are any objections. Has this been done?
If so, when was it done, and what are the dates of publication? In any case, this licence should be most reprehensible to the religious community of Guyana which enjoys religious freedom under the Constitution of Guyana.
To begin with this news is a very big surprise, and Muslims have not heard of it before, and as I understand it many religious people are now asking questions about what appears to be an attempt to keep this casino thing very quiet. We are very grateful to Bro Juman-Yassin, supported by the Imam of the Queenstown Masjid for bringing this matter to the attention of the public.
In the case of Muslims, the Holy Koran says that games of chance are a great sin, and it is clear that the Muslims and no doubt all religious faiths will protest this decision. Further, it cannot be doubted that city planners in the early years, when naming the street between Water Street and Vlissengen Road running east to west had in mind that this should be named Church Street, and indeed the street has been used in accommodating the following religious edifices:
- East, top of the street ‒ Fatima Catholic Church
- Middle, between Oronoque and New Garden ‒ Queenstown Jumu’ah Masjid for Muslims
- Oronoque and Church Streets ‒ Seventh-Day Adventist Church
- Across from Merriman Mall south of Church Street ‒ Church of Christ
- Church and East Streets ‒ Assemblies of God
- West, top of Church Street ‒ St George’s Cathedral
In answer to Mr Eric Phillip’s letter in the Stabroek News of March 8, the religious leaders can only get involved in matters brought to their attention when it affects religion or related issues.
The question of parking was raised by Mr Phillips; we must however let you know that parking space on the Merriman Mall was given years ago for Muslims attending the Masjid and members of the Seventh Day Adventists to park, especially on Fridays, Ramadan and other festivals, as well as on Saturdays, but the City Council took it back without our knowledge for a playground which was meant to be opposite the new hotel. We are told however that because of an objection by the hotel, the playground was constructed in front of the Masjid instead. After protesting, they promised us parking, a facility which we are still awaiting. Please read between the lines and see if we have not been discriminated against, now that this casino information has come to light.
Editor, we have enough social troubles in Guyana, so why then should we have more with gambling when the religious peoples are trying to do their best to bring back to Guyana the status quo as we knew it to be as taught and practised by our forefathers?
Our new government should take note and remedy this situation.
Yours faithfully,
SMV Nasseer
Chairman
Bait-ur-Rahma
Queenstown Jumu’ah
Masjid Compound
