Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to the letter published on September 11, 2023 in your letter column titled `Seeking information on Islamic conference.’
The author (who asked to remain anonymous) clearly did not read the articles about the symposium which were published in all the newspapers and other advertising media. Explicitly stated in these articles was the fact that the funding was received from the Organization of Islamic Co-operation – Research Centre for Islamic History, Culture and Art (OIC-IRCICA) based in Istanbul, Turkey. The OIC approached the government of Guyana because Guyana has been a member of the OIC since 1998. The OIC is an organization of states with Muslim populations that have a diplomatic presence at the United Nations.
The President was merely asked to open the symposium. It should be noted that our President has supported and spoken on several occasions at many other religious events throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.
It is also hoped that such small minded opinions as expressed in the previously mentioned letter does not deter other foreign organizations from investing and promoting similar forums in our beautifully diverse country.
Yours faithfully,
S. Lateef
