Guyanese mark 58th Independence Anniversary with joyful thanksgiving service wrapping up weekend festivities

Guyanese in the diaspora on May 26, concluded their 58th Independence Anniversary weekend of festivities with a religious service at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church at 331 Hawthorne St. in Brooklyn on the day the South American nation became liberated in 1966.

The service that was held on Trinity Sunday, was blessed by Muslim Imam Shaykh Safraz Bacchus, and Hindu Pandit Doobay with words to celebrate the country’s liberty during an hours-long service in front of a packed congregation of nationals, many dressed in Guyana colors, and carrying the Golden Arrowhead flag.

The festivities, that was hosted by Consul General to New York, Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, were celebrated with enthusiastic singing, and led by Jamaican-born, Rt. Reverend Canon Donovan Ivanho Leys and other clergy who officiated.

Rev. Leys extended a warm welcome to congregants and acknowledged the 58th Independence Anniversary. He noted the significance of Guyana’s diversity, by saying, “Coming to this country, I find that quite often we are all bundled together as black people and yet as the clergy spoke, you could not look at them and say they are Guyanese because being a Guyanese has nothing to do with the way you look, and the same thing applies for the rest of us. We are all God’s children. We all must learn to live in love with each other.”

CG Brotherson in return, expressed thanks to Rt. Rev. Canon Donovan Ivanhoe Leys, other clergy, and members, commending the leadership for its continued commitment to hosting the annual service which includes observing of Guyana’s Anniversary.

Clergy celebrate Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary at a service on Sunday 26, at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn. From left, Pastor James Richmond, Pandet Ravi Doobay, Rt. Reverend Canon Donovan Ivanhoe Leys, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Consul General Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson, and Imam and Spiritual Leader, Shaykh Safras Bacchus, after a warm welcoming service, on May 26, Independence Day. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

“I believe in our personal relationship with our God. As we perceive him, we stand well to also see His Grace, collectively on our nation as well, especially as we observe and celebrate milestones of this nature. Guyana is a nation of freedom of religion and worship and religious diversity and unity, as is so clear here today, Rodrigues Birkett,” said CG Brotherson.

Ambassador Rodrigues Birkett, in her message, said, “it is most fitting that we observe our country’s Independence anniversary in this way, since I believe that all good things are possible if only, we believe that there is a superior being, to whom, if we turn to sincerely and in faith, we will be shown the right way.”

“ I have no doubt that Guyana is blessed with exceptional and caring leadership, and President Mohamed Irfaan Ali must be lauded for his unwavering commitment to the future development of our country and his principled demonstrable adherence to the task of forging a “One Guyana” in which there is equality for all, respect for our diversity, and equal access to the fruits of Guyana’s development,” she said.

She thanked the clergy for extending an invitation and for welcoming celebrants, noting that the Republic must reflect on the progress, challenges, and opportunities. “Our country has been forged on the back of tremendous pain brought about by the decimation of indigenous peoples, slavery, indentureship and colonialism.”

“We broke the bondage of colonialism from Great Britain 190 years after the United States gained their independence, so we are relatively a young nation.” However, she said Guyana is experiencing rapid transformation.

“Let us pray for those that are entrusted with the leadership of our country in Parliament and in the executive, for our men and women in uniform and for all our public officers,” said Ambassador Birkett.

“Let us commit to contribute to unity, harmony, and peace, both in Guyana, in the US, and in the world at large. Always remember that if we turn to the Almighty sincerely and in faith, he will show us the way.”

“Happy 58th Independence Anniversary, May God bless you, your families and may God bless Guyana.”

Set against a backdrop of Caribbean, and Guyana flags, a Guyanese and friends congregation sang lustily during a 58th Independence Anniversary service at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, on Sunday, May 26, Independence Day. Photo by Tangerine Clarke

“As we mark this momentous occasion of Guyana’s 58th Independence Anniversary. I would like to highlight the crucial role that peace and love play in shaping our nations’ future, and the future of our world. We must continue to work towards a world where peace and love reign supreme where all nations can live in harmony, and where future generations can grow and thrive free from conflict and hatred,” prayed Imam and Spiritual Leader, Shaykh Safraz Bacchus.

Pandit Ravi Doobay of the Mahaa Lakshmi Mandir, in his message, stressed the importance of peace and understanding. “When we speak, of independence from tyranny, from slavery to freedom and faith in God and our collectiveness. We can strive to be better than those who have oppressed us in the past and come together to move our nation forward with love, peace and understanding.”

“Reverence Ivanhoe Leys said we are children of God. If we start to believe in this principle of children of God then we can shift the trajectory of our future, of our community and where we can move forward.”

“Our differences create a space where darkness exists, but our collective commonality together is what the independence of Guyana is, no less than the tyranny in the United States in 1965. The Civil Rights Act had brought us towards peace led by the Reverend Martin Luther King.”

“The principle of peace delivered a nation where you can be recognized as a human being as a person, 58 years Guyana celebrates independence. We are no different, we are the same regardless of the country you have come from, or the nation that we have lived. The commonality is to live in peace. We left our respective lands to come here because we wanted a place that we can live in peace. The other land that we can go to that is better than where we are, is the Kingdom of God,” preached Pandit Doobay.

The beautiful morning of reflection and prayers, concluded with Guyanese showcasing their flag of freedom, the Golden Arrowhead as they sang the National Anthem of Guyana. They then sat down in the Golden Hall of St. Gabriel’s for a blessed dinner of Guyanese cuisine.