The Muslim Youth League of Guyana (MYL) has expressed its shock over the recent events in relation to the “alleged criminal misconduct of officers of the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman (GUSIA), custodians of the Shaheed Boy’s and Girl’s Orphanages.”
A recent release from the organisation stated that the circumstances surrounding the death of fourteen year old Raheem Abdool, a resident of the orphanage who’s badly beaten body was found on the Liliendaal railway embankment, “smacks of the most heinous disregard for life and human decency, [representing] one of, if not the darkest moment in the history of the Muslin community of Guyana.” The organisation stated further “it is a sad day when people purporting to believe in the all ideals of Islam and publicly accepts its gift of humility and decency on the one hand, defiles its inner meaning of peace, respect for life and decency, and more especially defence of the orphan, an infinite call of the Quran to the faithful. It is with even more sadness, when those very persons are placed among the leadership of Muslims.” The acting CEO of the orphanage and another man have been charged with the orphan’s murder. The MYL called on all the Islamic organisations in the country for a meeting discussing the possible setting up of a commission of enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and investigating the guardianship of the GUSIA as the “gatekeepers ...of these orphanages”. The MYL also complimented Minister Bibi Shadick for the “expeditious manner she carried out investigations leading to charges being laid for this despicable crime.”