Interfaith Service brings Guyanese together to
celebrate 53rd Anniversary of Independence
Flag bearer, Guyanese American NYPD Offi cer, Kyhume Khan, Rev. Carl Stuart, pastor of Ebenzer AME of Charlestown,
Guyana, and Ministerial Staff at St. Matthew AME, New Jersey, Rudoph Ten-Pow, permanent representative
of Guyana to the UN, Barbara Atherly, consul general of Guyana to NY, Imam Abdul Aziz Khan, and ex-Guyana
Defense Force soldier, Kenneth Arthur, honoring fl ags of the two countries. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Farah Louis returns to campaigning
Caribbean L BQ ife, May 24–30, 2019 3
By Nelson A. King
Hardly a week after she won the
special election to replace Grenada
American former New York City Councilmember
Jumaane Williams as representative
for the 45th Council District
in Brooklyn, Haitian American Farah
Louis is already back on the campaign
trail, urging votes to re-elect her in the
Democratic Primary on June 25 for the
much-coveted district seat.
“The special election race wasn’t
easy,” said Louis, the daughter of
Haitian immigrants, in an email message
to supporters over the weekend.
“When the journey got rough, you all
stuck by my side, did not get discouraged
and uplifted me in ways that
words cannot define.
“This campaign has not only shown
me the resiliency and power of this
district but the resiliency and power
of myself,” she added. “It is my deepest
honor to serve as the elected representative
of District 45 in the New York City
Council and hit the ground running.
“But we must remember, the journey
isn’t over yet,” Louis cautioned. “Reelect
me as your City Councilwoman!”
Even though Louis handsomely won
the special election last Tuesday in the
crowded field to replace Williams, who
was recently elected New York City
Public Advocate, she must serve out the
remainder of Williams’s term, which
runs through 2021.
But she must first triumph in the
Democratic Party primary on Jun. 25
and the general election in November.
Louis, who was born in Brooklyn
and served as deputy chief-of-staff and
budget director for Williams in the 45th
Council District in Brooklyn, defeated
seven other candidates in the intense
special election.
Williams did not endorse Louis in
the race. Instead, he endorsed the first
runner-up, Monique Chandler-Waterman,
the daughter of Jamaican and
Barbadian immigrants, who served as
the former councilman’s community
outreach director in the district that
comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods
of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood
and Canarsie. Most of the candidates in
the race were either born in the Caribbean
or are of Caribbean heritage.
By Tangerine Clarke
Celebrating unity and pride, and
sharing messages of love and togetherness,
religious leaders joined Guyanese
to commemorate the nation’s
53rd Anniversary of Independence at an
Interfaith Service on Sunday, May 18 at
York College in Queens.
“Love and unity is what binds us
together as brothers and sisters, mothers
and fathers, we are one family
regardless of religion, we are all children
of God,” said Pandita Kushmani
Doobay, a Hindu priestess.
Hosted by Consul General of Guyana
to New York, Barbara Atherly and
Permanent Representative of Guyana
to the UN, Rudolph M. Ten-Pow, Muslim,
Imam Abdul Aziz Khan called for
unity.
“Let Guyana be united, and not divided,
let us pray for patience and tolerance,
for peace and stability, for our
children, as we live in harmony, and
love each other.”
“Despite migrating to the United
States, our hearts are with those who
live in Guyana,” continued Imam Khan,
who was born in Guyana and served
in the military in the mining area of
McKenzie-Linden, for which he prayed
and called on Allah to bless President
David Granger, and all who are in
authority.
Reverend Carl Stuart of the Christian
faith, pastor of Ebenzer AME of
Charlestown, Guyana, and Ministerial
Staff at St. Matthew AME New Jersey,
evoked the story of Nehemiah, saying it
was applicable to Guyana’s history, and
called on citizens to come together and
take pride of “our homeland, uniting is
what is dear to our land, as One People,
One Nation and one Destiny.”
Like Nehemiah, Rev. Stuart called on
Guyanese to build their nation to carry
out their mission of strength. “We are
called to come together and be united.”
“Let us cooperate for Guyana, let
us cooperate for the land, yes we can,”
evoking Guyana’s patriotic song.
“‘Oh Beautiful Guyana,’ led by the
Joycelyn Hunte and family mixed choir
was a fitting tribute to the nation,”
Atherly said, noting that Guyana gained
Independence on May 26, 1966.
“The progress made by the Cooperative
Republic of Guyana over the
last five decades is a true reflection of
the determination of our people. Today,
we celebrate and salute the sacrifices
and efforts of our leaders and forefathers
towards economic development
and social cohesion.”
“Guyana is special because there
are so many countries that strictly
adhere to a single religion. In contrast,
most Guyanese have had the blessing
of growing up in an environment that
taught us respect for all religions, so
we can easily appreciate and adapt to
varying religious situations when necessary,”
said the diplomat.
“I call on everyone present to continue
living in unity as “One People”
in peace and harmony as “One Nation,”
and as true patriots of “One Destiny.”
“Let us take this opportunity to
reflect on our nation and the progress
we have made transforming the country’s
economic, social and political
fate in religious co-existence. We have
had many challenges, but we have
approached these in a collective and
unified spirit.”
“No hurdle can withstand the strong
resolve of our nation. Pride for country
should not come after your country
becomes great, your country becomes
great because of pride in it,” said CG
Atherly.
Farah Louis poses for Caribbean
Life. Photo by Nelson A. King
Continued on Page 38