Guyanese in New York hold night of prayer for MV Barima ferry victims
Diplomats, legislators and faith leaders gathered at the Guyana Consulate, where UN envoy Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett called for better transport safety.
NEW YORK, United States. The Consulate General of Guyana and Guyana's Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted a night of prayer on July 24 for the victims of the MV Barima ferry, which capsized off Guyana's coast on July 18.
The event at the consulate on 45th Street included reflections, music, candle lighting, a minute of silence and the opening of a book of condolences.
Messages of support
In a statement read by Queens District Leader Rhonda Binda, Senator Charles Schumer said the ferry "has become the site of one of Guyana's deadliest maritime disasters", adding: "To all who call Guyana home no matter how far from it you now live, please know that you are not alone in this."
State Senator Roxanne Persaud urged Guyanese to support grieving families. "Put aside our differences as Guyanese," she said. "Let's pray that this tragedy never happens again."
Consul General Ambassador Michael E. Brotherson said President Irfaan Ali was leading the nation through the tragedy. "When one listens to him, his grief resonates," he said.
Call for safer protocols
Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana's Permanent Representative to the UN, who is from the area where the disaster happened, said 65 bodies had been recovered and 76 people rescued.
"If we do not learn from this tragedy, and it happens again, that would be the only thing worse than this," she said.
She spoke of heroes who saved others but died in the process, and recalled a relative who was returning home to Smith's Creek in the northwest with her husband and three children after nine years on the East Coast. "So many children. It is very hard for us," she said.
She said President Ali had vowed a full investigation, and called for improved protocols. "Boats must not depart without this safety measure in place," she said, referring to life jackets.
Prayers from many faiths
Soloist Jevanah La Rose sang "Amazing Grace" and "Hymn for Guyana's Children". Prayers were offered by Reverend Cecil Moonsammy, Hindu priest Navesh Ramsarran, Imam Shaykh Raihaan Habibulla and Pandit Ravi Dooby, with readings from the Rev. Dr. Carl E. Stuart and Imam Shaykh Safraz Bacchus.
"There are no perfect words, no speech can fill an empty chair," Bacchus said. "Healing takes time."
Saint Lucia Consul General Jeremiah Hyacinth and Dominica's representative Sheldon Peter Anthony were among those attending.
