Manning: Our religions strive for unity

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning said the fundamental message of Trinidad and Tobago’s three major religions to the national community is to always strive to unite the country. Addressing an Eid-ul-Fitr function at his official residence at La Fantasie, St Ann’s on Thursday night, Prime Minister Manning pointed out that there was a common thread in the religious celebrations of Divali (Hindu), Eid (Muslim) and Easter (Christian).

“The point I’m trying to make is this, that the three major religions all seem to have something in common and in fact, it will do us well to concentrate not so much on the things that divide but to concentrate instead on the things that are common to all of us. The things that promise to unite us and to make of the diverse people of TT, one country and one nation,” the Prime Minister declared. Manning said he and his wife, Education Minister Hazel Manning, believe that several of TT’s religious festivals should be celebrated at the Prime Minister’s residence “because of our diversity. It is our attempt to make our small contribution to the creation of the nation of TT,” he added.

The Prime Minister recalled that last year’s Eid celebrations reflected “more the culture of Pakistan and India. This year in our celebrations, we have sought to move more towards the Middle East, Arabia and the Far East, reflecting the fact that Islam indeed is a universal religion. Indeed, we could easily have taken the approach of Africa, which is the continent that houses the largest number of Muslims in the world. Islam knows no race, no class and tries to avoid the physical distinctions that tend to divide people all around the world,” Manning said. The Prime Minister revealed that invitations were extended to some 33 Islamic organisations to attend Thursday night’s celebrations.