President Irfaan Ali is urging Guyanese to ensure their actions foster peace and unity, telling a Diwali celebration at Leonora that now is not the time for backbiting and fighting among each other.

Addressing the launch of the Diwali Mahostav at the Leonora Track and Field Stadium to kickstart the Diwali celebrations here, the President said Guyanese must instead practice a culture of generosity and looking out for each other, which he believes form part of a fundamental principle to build a society that is unified and prosperous.

“As Individuals we must look around in our society and see who are the ones that are perusing peace. Go on social media, you will see some people whose sole objective is to create disorder, their narrative is one that support the peaceful existence of society and of people,” the President said.

Noting the principle of good over evil, he said citizens must inspire empathy and be weary of people who try to use divisive methods to divide them.

“As individuals, you will confront these dark moments, but it is how you allow yourself to dispel the darkness that would tell how you use good because you can dispel darkness by evil in your own head, but that magnifies the darkness for you,” the President said.

The President noted that the Guyanese society can only grow on the foundations of several key principles, including freedom, spirituality and the rule of law. He said his government is working to ensure the safeguards are in place.

“And of course, part of goodness is thanksgiving and that is what this is about, bringing to together the people of our community in thanksgiving, in celebration of a festival that signifies unity, togetherness, happiness, colourfulness and the spirituality that uplifts us,” the President said.

It was noted that the government will make the necessary investments and implement policies to preserve the rights and cultures of Guyanese of all backgrounds. The event continues for the rest of the week at the Track and Field Centre at Leonora. Diwali will be observed on Thursday.

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