Without peace, prosperity is a fragile illusion – President Ali

Full message from President Dr Irfaan Ali on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026:

I extend warmest greetings to all, and most especially to the Islamic community in Guyana, for whom Eid-ul-Fitr is a triumph written in faith, sacrifice, and devotion.

Eid-ul-Fitr is culmination of the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is the flowering of restraint, the answer to nights of prayer, to hunger borne with patience and to charity given in quiet humility.

Eid-ul-Fitr is an opportunity for a renewed spirit, one that is purified, uplifted, and turned once more toward the Divine. As the Holy Quran reminds us: “And that you complete the period and glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful” (2:185). Gratitude, then, is the crown of Eid, and joy its companion.

This is why hearts are light today. Families gather, forgiveness flows more easily than words, and the barriers between people seem, if only for a moment, to dissolve. The poor are remembered, the lonely embraced, the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood renewed. For in giving, we receive; and in remembering others, we rediscover ourselves. As the Quran teaches: “Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and rivers, in a seat of truth, near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability”(54:54–55).

And as we celebrate, we stand in a moment in Guyana that is nothing short of extraordinary. This is a time of immense promise, of boundless possibility, of a future shimmering with opportunity. Never has our nation stood at such a threshold of potential prosperity. Yet prosperity, like faith, is not self-sustaining. It must be nurtured, guided, and shared.

A nation, like a soul, is measured not by what it possesses, but by what it practices. So as we build and share this prosperity let us not forget the timeless message of Eid-ul-Fitr. That message is one of discipline, compassion, generosity, and unity. These are not virtues for a season, but for a lifetime.

Yet even as we celebrate this wonderful occasion, we are reminded that we do not live in isolation from the world. There are lands today where the call to prayer is drowned by the sound of gunfire, where celebration is replaced by sorrow. Let us, therefore, pray for peace—true and lasting peace. Let the guns be silenced, the fighter aircraft rest their wings, and the missiles sleep in their silos. For without peace, prosperity is but a fragile illusion.

Let us cultivate peace—in our hearts, in our homes, in our communities, and across our nation. Let us be living examples that harmony is not weakness, but strength in its purest form.

As we strive to embody this spirit of peace in every corner of our lives, let it not remain mere words, but become the very essence of how we live, give, and relate to one another.

Eid Mubarak to one and all! May your hearts be full, your homes be blessed, and your path ever guided by divine wisdom.