_Muslims in Guyana: History, traditions, conflict and change

“Muslims in Guyana: History, Traditions, and Conflict and Change” is a modest attempt to begin recording the history and traditions of Guyanese Muslims. To this day, nothing has ever been published on this subject. This paper traces the origins of the Muslims, their cultural heritage and their “Indo-Iranian” practices that came under scrutiny after “Arabization” or the orthodox movement which began in the seventies. “Muslims in Guyana: History, Traditions and Conflict and Change” brings to light aspects of the “Indo-Iranian” traditions that are controversial and have often divided the Muslims into two camps– the “Indo-Iranian” and the “Arab.” Opponents of “Indo-Iranian” traditions such as Milad-un-Nabi (Melaad-Sharief), Tazim, and the singing of Qasida call these practices Bidah or Innovation. While discussing the latter practices, this paper sheds light on cultural practices such as Nikkah, (Marriage) Birth and the Aqiqa.

It is impossible to disconnect Guyanese Muslims from the Sub-Continent since it is their ancestral home. Hence,” Muslims in Guyana: History, Traditions, Conflict and Change,” returned to medieval Islamic India in order to understand the cultural and political landscape of this fascinating land of the Mughals who built the famous Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar and the Shalimar Gardens. In light of this, the history of Urdu was incorporated since it is impossible to discuss Islamic India without Urdu. Urdu and Islam “go hand in hand” in the Sub-Continent. In conclusion, the connection between Guyanese Muslims and the Sub-Continent, in particular Pakistan, since 1947 was discussed. The history of Guyanese Muslims began not in Guyana in 1838, but in India since A.D 711. India reached its cultural zenith during the Muslim rule. This great Tahzib (Civilization) is something that every Guyanese Muslim can call his/her own and be proud of.