Religion in Guyana
Islam
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Like the Hindus, Guyana's Muslims are organized into orthodox and reform movements.
The Sunnatival Jamaat is the orthodox Sunni
(see Glossary) Islamic movement. The largest Islamic organization in the country
is the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman. The reform movement, the Ahmadiyah, was
founded in India in the late nineteenth century; its first missionary to Guyana arrived
in 1908. The reform movement has had considerable success, even including some Afro-Guyanese
among its converts
The rites of orthodox and reform Islam are similar, but the reform movement allows
the Quran to be read in English and women to enter a designated section of the mosque.
In contrast to the situation found on the Indian subcontinent, Muslims and Hindus
experience little friction in Guyana. These two religious communities have a tacit
agreement not to proselytize each other's members. In smaller villages, Christians
and Muslims come together to participate in each other's ceremonies
Until the 1970s, Hindu and Muslim holidays were not officially recognized. A number
of non-Christian religious days are now public holidays. Hindu holidays include Holi,
the spring festival, and Divali, the festival of lights. Muslim holidays include
Id al Fitr, the end of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting; Id al Adha, the feast
of sacrifice; and Yaum an Nabi, the birthday of Muhammad. The dates for these holidays
vary. An East Indian heritage day is celebrated and on May 5, an Amerindian festival
is held on Republic Day, in February.
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