Faith & unity shine at Guyana’s 60th Independence sunrise glorification service

Thousands of Guyanese from all backgrounds gathered quietly on the lawns of State House for prayers and reflection on Monday, a living picture of religious harmony on the cusp of our Diamond Jubilee of Independence.

The Sunrise Glorification Service, held in honour of Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary, brought together religious leaders, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Caribbean leaders, and ordinary citizens in a single space of worship and gratitude.

Though the weather shifted throughout the morning, gospel songs, sermons, and prayers from Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders rose steadily into the dawn, preparing the way for an address by President Irfaan Ali.

Speaking to the thousands assembled, the President said what was unfolding around him was more than a ceremonial gathering; it was a testimony to who we are as a people. “What we are doing here this morning is showing compassion, true honour, respect, dignity, and love for each other and each other’s faith,” he said.

Guyanese of different backgrounds stood together, many joining hands in prayer, embodying the unity the service was meant to honour.

The President spoke about the stages of life as understood across the three major religions, drawing attention not to what separates Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism, but to what they hold in common.

All three, he noted, teach that human beings must grow through learning, responsibility, and wisdom, and that life must reach beyond material ambition. Nations, he added, develop in much the same way. Guyana has passed through the trials of colonialism, the courage of Independence, and the ongoing work of nation-building.

Today, even as the country experiences rapid economic growth, he insisted that genuine progress cannot stand without a moral and spiritual foundation. “Beyond the economic and the political and social, I believe firmly that faith is an essential character for the growth and transition of any nation,” he reasoned.

“And today, I call upon myself and the people of this beautiful nation to accept faith as a foundational pillar upon which this country will proceed forward and upward. To accept faith as a cornerstone of our development.”

A special song, composed jointly by members of the Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities, was then performed and warmly received, drawing sustained applause from the gathering. President Ali later joined religious representatives in the symbolic lighting of the Unity Candle, a simple yet powerful act that captured the spirit of shared destiny and mutual respect.

Cricketing greats Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Courtney Walsh, and Brian Charles Lara were also in attendance. The President invited them to stand together before the assembled crowd, describing their presence and partnership as a living image of West Indian and Guyanese unity in practice.

Among those present were Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo; and other members of the Cabinet, including Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, who delivered remarks and later interacted warmly with members of the public.

As the morning service drew to a close, the mood remained reflective yet hopeful. With prayers offered and commitments renewed, attention now turns to the evening, when a grand flag‑raising ceremony will take place at the historic Fort Island along the Essequibo River.