Guyanese nationals welcome President Irfaan Ali to New York

The Office of Britnee Timberlake of New Jersey 34th District honored Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali with a Senate Resolution during a Breakfast Morning last Wednesday at the Waterfall Lounge, 470 Church Ave. in Brooklyn, on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The document stated in part that the highly esteemed Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana was honored by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, which extended warm greetings and salutations for the head of state’s indispensable contribution on behalf of his Guyanese compatriots living in the diaspora.

“It is altogether fitting and proper for the members of this Legislature to pause in their deliberation to acknowledge Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and to praise him as an individual of strong character and remarkable determination now, therefore,” states the Resolution.

Lady Ira Lewis, president of the Guyana American Heritage Foundation, who presented the document, told the politician that it was a pleasure having him in Brooklyn and reminded him that she was the Guyanese Queen in New Jersey, who presented a flag-raising ceremony and a Guyana family fun day in the state.

Hollis Barclay, Consul General Michael Brotherson, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Proprietress of Waterfall Lounge in Brooklyn, Doris Rodney, and Jenny Persaud, during a breakfast morning at the Waterfall Lounge, 470 Church Ave. to welcome President Irfaan Ali. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

Despite a loud protest rally outside the venue, President Ali received a resounding welcome from Guyanese and elected officials, Senators Roxanne J. Persaud and Jabari Brisport, Assembly Member Alicia L. Hyndman, Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, Consul General of Jamaican to New York, Alsion Wilson and Jamaican-born Dr. Agoran C. Pike.

They listened as the head-of-state spoke of bringing Guyanese together under a unified umbrella.
He suggested hosting a food festival and inter-borough sports tournament, then coming together for a weekend final and a cultural stage, “as we work together. “This is a project that requires hard work and sacrifices.”

“I want to take this opportunity to applaud the work you and our local leaders are doing. I am very proud of all of you. I look forward to hosting local leaders again in Guyana, because when you come you have an opportunity to interact with citizens and see what we are doing, and learn from each other, as we work towards doing things better, while improving conditions and prosperity for all Guyanese and building prosperity for every home,” said President Ali.

The politician explained that breaking bread signifies a family. “Coming together is an important task; it’s not only about eating but sharing with each other.”
President Ali answered questions on establishing ties with foreign investors and mental health initiatives raised by proprietress Nola Rodney. He encouraged nationals working in the health field to share their skills in creating elderly homes in the homeland.

He answered questions on solar systems and waste management, noting that Guyana’s Amazon is one of the richest in the world. Biodiversity is a champion in the Republic, with more bird species than in the US, and it is part of the tourism package. Solar power will cut energy costs in half, with a household project that started in the hinterland, he shared.

When Rev. Cockfield questioned how Guyanese can come together in unity, President Ali replied, “We can do exactly what we are doing here at this breakfast morning. We can be productive and move forward as one Guyana. ”

The proprietor of the Waterfall Lounge, Doris Rodney, told President Ali he was doing an excellent job and called him a very loyal person who would go very far in life.

“That’s why I’m 100 percent behind you. You stood up for me and many others. You are real; you are a man of God. I’m telling you this because your energy attracts people, and that’s the reason why we all are here today. Continue guiding us and taking Guyana from one level to another, and make sure that we all have the same opportunity,” said Rodney.

The leader, who was blessed with prayers by Patrick and Reverend Ellsworth Chester, was also applauded by Senator Roxanne J. Persaud of the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn, the first and only Guyanese-born in the New York State legislature.

The politician said she and her Guyanese colleagues of Guyanese parentage proudly fly Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead flag high, noting that the four-day Senate delegation visit to Guyana in 2023 was memorable.

“Everyone was impressed with what they saw. “All who were on the delegation and planned for other countries are asking us for it to be the Guyana standard. Thank you for welcoming us to Guyana and for showing us what the development of Guyana has been like. We pledge to be back to showcase Guyana because we feel proud with what we saw,” said Sen. Persaud.

From left, Wendy Williams, Mrs. Blaze, grandmother and mother of Miss Universe Guyana 2024 Ariana Blaze (extreme right), gave President Irfaan Ali a warm welcome during a breakfast morning at Waterfall Lounge in Brooklyn on Sept. 25. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

Miss Universe Guyana 2024, Ariana Blaze thanked President Ali for taking the time to be in Brooklyn and introduced the politician to her charitable cause, Dorothy’s House, named for her late great-grandmother. Dorothy’s House is an initiative to shine a light on orphanages in Guyana.

Jamaican-born Dr. Agorom C. Pike, president and CEO of the Caribbean & African Faith-Based Leadership Conference and liaison to the White House Faith-Based Cabinet Offices thanked President Ali for inspiring him and welcoming his team on a visit to Guyana.

“We want your people to realize that you are promoting Guyana way beyond the Caribbean. We had a great time. You inspire us, and we are looking to return to Guyana. You have made it possible for us to see the possibility of investing. We love your country. You are doing leaps and bounds to progress Guyana,” said Dr. Pike.

The head-of-state who started with a Social Mixer at Hibiscus Restaurant in Queens Village on Sept. 24, with his delegation, First Lady Arya Ali, Consul General Michael Brotherson, Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Persaud, Marcia Nadir-Sharma, Diaspora Head,  Fazal Yussuf, and Ambassador Ali, told Guyanese that the Guyana agenda, is about building prosperity, and opportunity for all Guyanese and creating a social and development model that every national can aspire to be the best they can be.

“If we are not true to ourselves, the way we act and behave, in unity and pride, then nothing can change,” said the politician.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd and Minister of Health Frank Anthony also made presentations at the Social Mixer.

President Ali, who was also interviewed by the New York Times and the Clinton Global Initiative and met with the UK’s Prince Charles, attended several bilateral meetings and addressed the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.