Reminiscing & Hoping

Small billboards like these were posted at the National Park during Carifesta (for the Muslim Evening). I thought these billboards should have been kept there with a fee paid to the Park. Or instead of flying the "Islamic flags" at the MYO ground the least they could have done would have put these on the fence to draw the attention of the thousands of students who traverse that area during school days.We at Zamals participated thru CIOG and did brochures to be distributed. Also planned to show our Islamic Musical dvd, which is a big hit, on a big screen but because of the rain we canceled that. All in all it was a wonderful evening...but I didn't know there was someone there who would come to be a HUGE influence on my life several months later. Missed her presentation because again we Muslims are poor at disseminating proper information (hey a map of the area explaining what was taking place would have been nice; or what about periodic announcements to visit this booth or that.) O well next time. I felt this Evening should have been held indoors from the inception because the weather was extremely wet during that time. Can remember a boring qaseeda or two. The fashion show...nice but too long...and what else? President Jagdeo's speech was ok...Br. Ayube's presentation... Moulana Siddiq's speech...So the organizers need to add some spice to a show like this next time...Muslims do have fun, don't they. Not just sermonizing about hijab and prayer and all the do's and dont's. Why for heaven's sake was there no comedy (don't need to add "halal") Yes, laughter would have lightened the atmosphere.

I remember very clearly the President of CIOG saying in the heat of the moment that an event like that should be held yearly. Ok six months later can anyone tell me how that PLAN is going. O I'm all for an ANNUAL Islamic Convention...we can do wonders with such an event...but hello...anyone listening to themselves speak...or are words hollow. Pie in the sky...fanciful notion...ludicrous concept. Hello CIOG...Hello GIT...oh sorry...Salaam CIOG...Salaam GIT...how are you people coming along with your plans. How about you surf on over to ICNA's website and see what theme they are using for their annual convention this year May 23rd-25th...and let's join hands together. Want ideas...they are aplenty...if you listen to young people.
So what can you have at this convention:
1. Speeches (yes we must have those)
2. A Comedy Show
3. Bazaar
4. Award to a Muslim Doctor, Journalist, Engineer any professional
5. Award to the best kept Mosque and environs (like landscaping) in the different regions of Guyana
6. Award to the best blog by a Muslim Guyanese
7. Award to the Best Muslim Student
8. Table Tennis, dominoes, Scrabble competition
9. Islamic Poetry
10. Debate on some topic between two well educated groups
11. Creating a Muslim hospital, Muslim bank...ideas needed and ideas implemented urgently
12. Creating a database of everything Muslim...to be maintained ONLINE
13. Creating a Printed magazine...and an Online one too.
14. All parts of the Convention...streaming live on YouTube
15. Add your ideas