Dear Editor,
Salaams and congratulations to the ninth Executive President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali, who was elected on March 2nd and is still waiting to be sworn in. It has been a long hard fight, a titanic struggle but, in the end, democracy and what is right will prevail. Dr. Ali would be the first to agree that it was a group and joint effort, so thanks to all those within and outside the PPP who contributed, in ways big and small, towards getting us to this point so far.
Excellency, I understand that you are married, but what you are really married to now is Guyana. I hope your family understands. Sir, Guyana really needs a break, and you are the man of destiny on whose shoulders that heavy responsibility has fallen. Your image and reputation are that of a human dynamo who delivers; a man brimming with ideas and raring to go. Turning our beloved homeland around will require all of your considerable energy and talents. You have the capacity for hard work and you may have to pull some all-nighters.
My wishes for you are that you become the best President Guyana ever had. Not the third or second best – the best. The most humble and transparent. The hardest working. The one who conducts himself like a trustee. The most unprejudiced, broad minded, inclusive and service oriented. The big hearted. The fair minded. The one who is the most sensitive and responsive to the needs and voices of the citizens. The unifier. The one who puts country first. The one who is the least attached to, and the most unaffected by, the trappings of power.
My fellow Guyanese, give our new President a chance and, before the end of his first term, you won’t recognize Guyana – it will be so positively transformed! So, he will also be our most loved President.
Dr. Ali, in the years ahead, you will not be alone. Your ancestors will be watching you. May they also watch over you.
Yours faithfully,
Sieyf Shahabuddeen
