Dear Editor,
I would like to take this opportunity to write on the subject of religion. To begin, I must mention how the role of sugar cultivation played in shaping religious identity in Guiana.
As early as 1634 sugar was being cultivated on the Kyk-Over-Al Island. Around 1616, the Dutch established a colony on this 1.5-acre island and by 1637 were exporting sugar cane to Holland where it was used to manufacture sugar. Guiana, at the time, did not have a mill to process the cane juice into sugar. It is interesting to note that the main export from Guiana at the time was annatto, an orange-red condiment and food colouring and derived from the seeds of the achiott tree. The indigenous communities cultivated annatto and traded it to the Dutch.
By 1674, the Dutch commander, Hendrick Rol, established a number of sugar plantations to be cultivated by African slaves. Five plantations were established in Berbice; at that time the number of slaves in the colony were in the hundreds. Many came with their religion and customs and that included Islam. By the end of the 17th century, Islam was already in Guiana. Islamic practices were possible and there is some evidence that while Islam was not practiced as an established communal religion, Islamic rituals were observed by individuals and small groups.
Slavery officially ended in 1834 followed by Indentureship which brought Muslims to Guyana from British colonized India. During this, it was possible for both African and East Indians to observe their religious practices, to travel in the country and become organized. The first Masjid was built in the 1860’s either at Philadelphia on the East Bank of Essequibo or No. 78 village in Corentyne, Berbice. The first organization, Jamiatul Ulama E Deen of British Guiana was founded in 1934 to provide religious leadership and education to Muslims in British Guiana.
In 1936 the Islamic Association of Guyana was formed followed by the Sadr Anjuman in 1939 to unify all the various organizations under one umbrella. In 1948 the Islamic Association agreed to merge with the Sadr and form the United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (USIA) of British Guiana. The Muslims of Guyana enjoyed a period of rapid progress and development. However, in the 1960’s, Muslim leaders got involved politically and formed a Muslim political party which was a disgrace and perhaps a detriment to the community as a whole.
In the years 1964 to 1978, a number of Muslim organizations were founded which claimed to have national, international and regional representation of the Muslims of Guyana. This fractured landscape took place to fill the vacuum created due to a major split in the USIA. The 1970’s was marked by the disunity and confusion within the community. The leader of one faction sat with one side of the political division while another sided with the other faction of the political division. The disunity, organization in-fighting, proliferation of many smaller organizations and claims to leadership, had a devastating effect on the Muslim community.
Regardless of the political divisions, Muslims have always remained a kind and caring community that refused to compromise the tenets and principles of their religion. My ancestors were Muslims. My great grandmother, who had five children, was born in British Guiana and practiced Islam with sincerity and dedication.
Her last son was one of Guyana’s legal geniuses and he had died a few weeks ago. His name was Rex H. McRae, born Samuel Haniff, and his last rites were performed at the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) complex in Georgetown. Over the years I’ve come to personally know Mohamed Haniff, my uncle, Mr. Ahmad Ali of Nandy Park. His widow, Fazee Ali, treated me like I was her brother and I too, treated her like she was my sister although we are not related by blood. Let me please reflect on a few outstanding Guyanese of Islamic background.
1. Mr. Mohammed Shahabuddeen former Attorney General, Vice President and Learned Judge of the World Court.
2. Mr. Ayube Edun, General Secretary of the MPCA in 1936.
3. Mr. Ayube Hamid made his name on the radio wave and the song Suhani Raat that song even played in English Parties at midnight Old Year’s night 1950’s.
4. Rafiq Khan made his name on radio with a local Indian performance, some of his finds are Mohan Nandes, Gobin Ram Tilak Sudama, Balandin, Bami Balkarran – artists that came from all over Guyana.
Sports – We had a very talented cricketer, Faoud Bacchus who played for Guyana and the West Indies. He was extremely talented in the field and even had 250 test runs versus India for the West Indies. Other than his batting skills that gained him a big score against India he never lived up to his potential. Timor Mohammed, who played for Guyana and the West Indies Youth team was named to the West Indies team in England but never played.
Business – Abdul Gafoor was operated a hardware store in Sussex street, La Penitance in late 50’s. He passed the torch to his son, Sattaur Gafoor; always a giver to people who need. He made a major contribution to the Islamic community by building Masjids and other places of worship. He also helped scores of Muslims and other people of other Religion
I do not recall a Senior Police Officer of Islamic descent, but our present Brigadier General of the Guyana Defense Force is Mr. Omar Khan. I am writing this to attest to the beauty of Islam and to encourage others to reflect on the life of the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Sincerely,
Frank DeAbreu
