See below full statement issued by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG):
Candidates in presidential elections sometimes serve their country by emerging as the democratically chosen leader with the responsibility to be fair and just while governing and protecting all the people. But, sometimes, the service to the country is provided by showing how to “lose” the election graciously and then by collaborating with the “winning” party to ensure the highest level of governance.
Elevation to public office is made possible only by the permission of Allah (swt): “And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] that He may try you through what He has given you. Indeed, your Lord is swift in penalty; but indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Al-An’am 6: 165) CIOG calls upon all party leaders to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.
On a personal level, the “winner” of a compromised election will always be tainted and viewed as unworthy. Beyond that, you would be wounding the democratic process, thereby inflicting severe harm on the country and the people that you profess to love.
CIOG asks that all parties take a moment to reconnect to the core values that they have pledged to uphold and to remember that we are all here to serve God’s will.
For your sake and the sake of our beloved country, insist that the election results be processed with transparency and lawfulness. Honor the choice expressed by the people who voted in our democratic process.
Keep in mind the Prophetic Narration: “Everyone of you is a shepherd, and every one of you will be questioned about those under his rule: the ruler is a shepherd, and he will be questioned about his subjects; the man is a shepherd in his family, and he will be questioned about those under his care; and the woman is a shepherd in the house of her husband, and she will be questioned about those under her care… Thus, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for those under his care.”
(Al-Bukhari) CIOG calls on our country’s politicians and their followers to behave lawfully and responsibly, with morality, dignity, transparency, and integrity, to be the guardians of honor and truth and right, to communicate with respect and in good faith.
In so doing, they will demonstrate that they have put Guyana first and have raised the standard of political discourse in our country, and set an example for the entire world and generations to come. Let us obey Allah (swt), the King of Kings, the Lord of the Worlds.
Let us all follow the rule of law laid out by the Constitution. Let us cooperate, unite, love, and respect our brethren.
