Islamic Front honours First Peoples

LAUREL V WILLIAMS

HEAD of the Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) Imam Umar Abdullah yesterday extended appreciation and love to the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community saying it was their right to be recognised and the responsibility of the country to acknowledge them.

“We honour you, the people who first called this land home. We remember the struggles and tragedies you endured. We respect your space and the contributions you all have made as part of the story of this great land,” Abdullah said.

In a media release, Abdullah stated the purpose of the holiday was to promote the First Peoples’ culture and to honour their history.

“For the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community, we agree this holiday means a lot...and we should also understand this is the beginning of something greater.”

The Islamic Front, he said, fully supports Santa Rosa First Peoples president Ricardo Bharath Hernandez and the First Peoples’ right to maintain and strengthen their political, economic, social and cultural characteristics, as well as their legal systems. These, while retaining their rights to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State..

Abdullah said: “They should not be considered myths of the past, but rather a people who wants to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism.”