President of Suriname joins Ahmadi Muslims in iftar during Ramadan

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Laiq Ahmad Mushtaq, Missionary, Suriname

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Suriname held many successful activities during the month of Ramadan. One day before the inception of the month, we started to broadcast daily 15-minute programmes on a local television channel. These programmes covered various aspects of Ramadan and Islamic teachings. Tarawih prayer and duroos were also conducted. Moreover, 10 congregational iftar events were held at the Nasir Mosque.

On 14 April 2022, the president of the Republic of Suriname visited the Nasir Mosque, which was the first time that a head of state visited our mosque. His Excellency, Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi has regularly been visiting our mosque since 2011, as a member of parliament and leader of one of the biggest opposition parties in Suriname. After being elected as the president of Suriname, this was his first time visiting the Nasir Mosque in person, after previously holding a virtual meeting with the jamaat last year.

The president, along with other members of his cabinet and dignitaries arrived at the mosque at 6:30 pm. The minister of public affairs, minister of labour and the minister of defence were also present on this occasion. The guests took part in iftar along with members of the jamaat and other invitees. Thereafter, the president also took part in Maghrib prayer.

After this, a formal session was arranged in which Samseerali Sheikh Alibaks Sahib, President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Suriname, welcomed the president and his team. The president then delivered a speech in which he mentioned that he always felt honoured to visit our mosque and that the kindness and hospitality of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya remained memorable for him. He also requested the jamaat to pray for the state of our country and the economic crisis, saying that our prayers are a powerful weapon for achieving betterment. 

After the speech, the president was presented with a souvenir, Jamaat literature and a photo album containing pictures of all his previous visits to our mosque. 

Dinner was served after the formal session. Some dignitaries stayed at the mosque and also took part in tarawih prayer. 

This event was extremely successful and will Insha-Allah remain a memorable day in the history of Jamaat Suriname. Members of the jamaat worked tirelessly to make this event a success.

On 2 May 2022, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated at the Nasir Mosque, in which over 250 members were present. Similar to many other countries, this was our first congregational Eid prayer since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. 

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