Minister of Rural Development and Local Government and MP for St Augustine, Khadijah Ameen, is calling for greater unity, religious tolerance and respect among citizens, urging them to reject attempts to sow division along racial or religious lines.
At her constituency’s ‘Divali Mela’ celebration on Sunday, she highlighted the importance of preserving the community’s longstanding tradition of cultural and religious inclusiveness, as people from diverse backgrounds gathered to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
“While there are other people in this country who will try to divide us, we must stay strong. We must stay united. We must remember that when we have a neighbour, we treat with our neighbour, and it doesn’t matter their race, their religion, their complexion. When we have Divali, we all participate. There are so many people here who are non-Hindus.”
Minister Ameen said the event reflected the diversity that defines the St Augustine constituency and called on citizens to uphold mutual respect and reject efforts to create division across the country.
“I want to tell the rest of the country that in St Augustine we don’t discriminate, and we will not tolerate anyone trying to divide us in this country, trying to create racial hate in this country. We must never, ever tolerate that. Tonight I saw every creed and race present in the audience, my constituents who are here.”
The celebration featured the traditional lighting of deyas, cultural performances and musical presentations, bringing residents together to observe the Festival of Lights.