The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) is seeking a meeting with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira, in a bid to push the Mashramani celebrations to February 24 or February 25 to accommodate Eid Ul Adha on February 23.

This year the Christians and Hindus will also both observe Good Friday and Phagwah on March 29.

In a telephone interview, President of the CIOG, Haji Fazeel Ferouz, told Stabroek News that the CIOG was happy that Eid Ul Adha would fall on the same day that the country marked its twenty-second republic anniversary, but was concerned about the kind of behaviour which formed part of some of the activities of Mashramani.

Ferouz said that the Queenstown Masjid was located on Church Street, part of the route of the Costume Bands and Float Parade. In addition, Merriman's Mall, which was opposite the masjid, was where stereo sounds blared on that day and drinks, food and games stalls were located. This would contrast with the activities of the jamaat (congregation) which would be involved in prayers and other religious activities. And because of restrictions on vehicles some members of the masjid might not be able to access the church to carry out some of the activities such as giving to the needy on that day.

Similarly, he noted that the activities of the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) on Woolford Avenue could be affected because it was in the vicinity of the National Park, where the float parade culminates. This area might be restricted to vehicular traffic as well. Some of the religious observances in some of the regions, too, he said could be affected by the Mashramani celebrations.

Eid Ul Adha, which means recurring happiness, commemorates one of the greatest tests of faith in Islam, in which Abraham was asked to sacrifice his eldest son to express his willingness to serve God. Before he could have sacrificed his son a ram sent by God appeared and this was sacrificed instead. Muslims sacrifice an animal in keeping with the tradition each year and share meat with their relatives, friends and the needy.

Like most religious holidays, Eid Ul Adha is determined by the lunar calendar. In this case it is decided by the sighting of the new or crescent moon, and this, according to Ferouz, was likely to be on the evening of February 12. Eid Ul Adha is celebrated ten days after the sighting of the new moon in the month of the Muslim year. Eid Ul Adha marks the end of the Muslim year and the beginning of a new one. By February 15 it should be officially announced whether the moon had been sighted.

The festival of Phagwah and Good Friday, which differ significantly in observance, are also based on lunar calendars.

Jesuit Priest, Fr Malcolm Rodrigues, told Stabroek News that the date for Good Friday was in keeping with the start of the Roman Catholic year, which began with the start of the Advent season, usually in December. This year, he said, the Roman Catholic year began on December 1. Each year, the start of Advent differs, which explains why the Lenten season--which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday 40 days later--is never observed on a fixed day or date. This year, Lent will start on February 13 and end 40 days later. He recalled a year when Ash Wednesday began on February 23 and ended 40 days later. The week preceding Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week and the Friday of that week is observed as Good Friday to mark the day that Jesus Christ was crucified. The observance of Good Friday goes back to the year AD 200.

Phagwah, the spring festival or festival of colours is celebrated during the full moon of the first month of the Hindu calendar. The calendar year starts on March 22 during a normal year and on March 21 on a leap year. Last year Phagwah was observed on March 10. Phagwah follows the burning of the Holika at full moon. This year, the full moon will be on March 28. The traditional burning of the Holika is symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. Hindu holidays are fixed based on the position of the moon.

President of the Gandhi Youth Organisation, Pandit Ramkissoon Maraj, told Stabroek News that Phagwah was a day of prayer, reflection and celebration of life. The colours are symbolic of the colours in a person's life. The mood on that day should be one of contentment and happiness. The morning is dedicated to prayers while persons made merry in the afternoon. He said that it was a day on which Hindus should not eat meat nor drink alcoholic beverages. They should celebrate in a religious way. Phagwah dances in discos and bars and barbecues in the name of the festival go against the manner in which the holy day should be observed.

Noting that both Phagwah and Good Friday will be observed on the same day, he said that all religions should try to keep the day a holy one and as a mark of respect should not drink alcoholic beverages or eat meat.