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Thousands flocked the tarmac across the road from the Lusignan Market as the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC),Matt Niskanen Capitals Jersey, along with the wider Muslim community of Guyana, hosted what was dubbed Eid Fest 2008, in commemoration of Eid-ul-Fitr. The event was a festival filled with chants and Qaseedas.According to one of the executive members of the IAC, Evan Radhay Persaud Misra,Olli Maatta Penguins Jersey, the reason the IAC and the Muslim community have decided to hold an outdoor festival to commemorate Eid-ul-Fitr was so that they could bring Islam out of the masjid and into the open.He added that,Jakub Kindl Red Wings Jersey, in this way, non Muslims could take the opportunity to learn about the Muslim religion.Representatives from various parts of Guyana sang Qaseedas,Martin St. Louis Lightning Jersey, and Imams from different communities prayed for the peace of Guyana. Imam Shaheed Mohamed,Anton Stralman Lightning Jersey, of the Queenstown General Masjid, opened the proceedings with a special prayer for all Guyanese.Prayers were also offered for the 11 persons who were massacred in Lusignan earlier in the year. On October 1st,Guy Lapointe Canadiens Jersey, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated by Muslims all over the world to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting.The event brought together Muslims from all across Guyana. There were also delegations representing Trinidad and Tobago,Alexei Kovalev Canadiens Jersey, Suriname and the United States. Also at the event were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and the Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud. The Prime Minister told those gathered that he was happy to be at the event; and he highlighted the importance of fasting,Matt Cullen Penguins Jersey, saying that every religion has a period of fasting.He urged those gathered, Muslims and non Muslims alike, to reflect on how people could get lost in their quest to fulfil their daily needs.Periods of fasting, like Ramadan,Tanner Glass Rangers Jersey, said Hinds, help people remember that they are all spiritual beings and need to keep in touch with their spiritual sides.The Muslims of Lusignan expressed their happiness at the event being held in that community, as it helped to pay homage to their community members who were massacred. |
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