President joins inter-religious celebration, says...
Govt. working to establish all-faith TV station
Guyana Chronicle
January 19, 2004
GINA -- GOVERNMENT is working to promote inter-religious unity and to this end several initiatives are being developed.
Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking at an inter-religious celebration of peace, love and goodwill at the Botanical Gardens yesterday, said to loud applause that Government is moving to establish an All Faith Television Station this year.
"Government will not only provide the spectrum and the license at no cost, but it will also set aside some money for the establishment of the television station," the President said.
President Jagdeo was scheduled to speak during the formal programme by the Inter-Religious Organization of Guyana (IROG) yesterday afternoon, but he opted to go earlier in the day in order to interact with those who were intermingling, playing together and discussing how their diverse faiths can find common ground to help move the country forward.
The President also held discussions with the members of the organization.
He congratulated the IROG for the "tremendous efforts poured into making the event materialize."
Hailing the work of the organization, President Jagdeo said that in a multi-religious society such as Guyana's, the IROG's work is invaluable. He noted that the society needs organizations that can "teach and practice not only tolerance, but also good, for the development of people and morals of young people." President Jagdeo also commended the efforts to teach diversity, as Guyanese need that for its six races to work together.
"We believe that this is the way forward for Guyana," the President said, adding that this should be so not only at the religious level, but also among political leaders and all Guyanese.
President Jagdeo was represented at the formal programme by Minister of Labour and himself a Minister of Religion, Dr. Dale Bisnauth.
The celebration took the form of a Family Fun Day and informal discussions on the various religions and on religious diversity.