Christian Fellowship, PSC condemn Mayor’s offensive remarks

(Guyana Chronicle photo of Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine in conversation with vendors on Monday evening)

Zadok Ministers Fellowship – a group of Christian Ministers launched in 2018 to build a network amongst the churches and forging unity among the people – has condemned statements made by Georgetown Mayor His Worship, Pandit Ubraj Narine in relation to marginalization.

Narine on Monday evening visited the environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where efforts were underway to remove stalls and vendors from New Market Street, Georgetown. In support of the vendors maintaining their position, the Mayor argued that the road falls under the purview of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) which did not pass a motion to remove the vendors.

During heightened protest supported by his political party –the APNU+AFC –he said “this looks like a religion fight. I’m wondering if we’re heading to be a Muslim state.” The comment was recorded and widely shared on social media provoking widespread criticisms from all parts of society.

The Zadok Ministers Fellowship in its statement said “ the Mayor’s utterances are therefore highly regrettable, unfounded and unsubstantiated and are not reflective of the Guyanese reality.”

It added that “Guyana is a multi-ethnic society with three major religions – Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. While most Guyanese identify with Christianity, there is no place for religious supremacy and racism in Guyana.”

The Fellowship said there is no place in our society for prejudice, racism, discrimination, religious marginalization, division, and hatred and calls for greater tolerance, appreciation and celebration of our religious, cultural and ethnic diversity.

As such, it is urging the promotion of ethnic harmony and religious tolerance through brotherhood, sisterhood, friendship and love for our fellow human beings.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) which also called for the Mayor to resign.

“The Private Sector is of the view that, given the high office and responsibility of the Mayorship of our capital city, Mr. Ubraj Narine has proved himself to be unfit for this office and is left with no alternative but to immediately resign,” the PSC said.