Dear Editor,
Peace be upon you,
We are profoundly grateful that in Guyana, all religious communities enjoy full freedom to practice their faith without fear of persecution. This is the beauty of a country that, although small and developing, has always upheld a spirit of tolerance and understanding among people of different faiths, races, and cultures.
However, it is unfortunate to learn that some foreign nationals who have come to live in Guyana have brought with them a backward mindset rooted in their own environments, and have recently attempted to project it onto the Guyanese people.
I belong to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, an organization committed to peace, interfaith harmony, and national unity. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, India. Today, the Community spans over 200 countries and is recognized worldwide for promoting peace, tolerance, and service to humanity under its guiding motto: “Love for All, Hatred for None.”
In some countries, such as Pakistan, constitutional amendments and legal ordinances criminalize basic expressions of faith by Ahmadis, including identifying as Muslims or using Islamic terminology. These discriminatory laws have fostered an environment of hostility and hate speech, resulting in mob violence, arrests, and the desecration of Ahmadi mosques and graves. Beyond Pakistan, Ahmadis face restrictions and intimidation in other countries as well, in clear violation of international human rights standards and the fundamental right to freedom of religion and belief. In fact, clerics in such countries openly encourage their followers to verbally abuse and socially boycott Ahmadi Muslims in pursuit of so-called religious merit.
One such cleric – a Pakistani national – has found residence here in Mahaica.
On more than one occasion, this individual has attempted to create division by spreading false information about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Guyana. In a widely circulated WhatsApp message, he disseminated false and inflammatory claims, such as: “The group known as ‘Ahmadiyya’ or ‘Qadiani’ are not part of Islam. They are imposters,” and “Muslims are therefore not permitted to pray in their buildings, pray behind them, or participate in their religious events.” He further advised Muslim organizations that “CIOG and all Muslim organizations should educate the public on the danger of Ahmadi propaganda” and “ensure Muslims do not refer to their centers as masjids.”
This message is deeply alarming, as it closely mirrors rhetoric commonly used in Pakistan, where such propaganda has historically led to violent persecution, discrimination, and the social ostracism of Ahmadis. It is concerning that a foreign cleric residing in Guyana appears to be attempting to import such intolerance into a peaceful and pluralistic society.
Recently, the country has witnessed how the actions of some foreign nationals can pose risks to Guyana’s peace and social cohesion. While this matter may appear, at first glance, to be an issue of free speech, it is important to note that certain clerics from Pakistan are widely known for promoting fundamentalist and exclusionary views toward other religions and Muslim sects—views that, in some cases, have led to violence. If such individuals are allowed to propagate divisive ideologies unchecked, they may gradually influence Guyanese citizens in ways that could become a serious national concern.
Therefore, we draw this matter to the attention of the Guyanese public and urge vigilance regarding individuals who incite hatred against other religious communities. Such attitudes are not reflective of Guyana’s peaceful values, which must be safeguarded to ensure that our nation continues to progress together.
Given the potential for such actions to incite religious hatred and social division, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Guyana respectfully draws the attention of the news media to what we believe constitutes hate speech directed at Ahmadi Muslims in Guyana. We hope that the relevant authorities will investigate this matter and take appropriate measures, within their mandate, to prevent the spread of hate speech and to preserve Guyana’s longstanding reputation for interfaith harmony and tolerance.
We remain firmly committed to promoting mutual respect, dialogue, and understanding among all faith communities in Guyana.