Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar celebrated Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day with members of the religious community Wednesday noting their struggle for freedom, legitimacy and acceptance in Trinidad and Tobago.
She said the perseverance of the Baptists provides an inspiration since members of the faith endured persecution but never abandoned their beliefs.
“There is much that your struggle inspires us as people - determination, strength, persistence, bravery and resilience of practitioners during the 34 years of prohibition when worshipers were arrested, beaten and jailed if caught practicing their religion,” she said.
She added, “Today in Trinidad and Tobago, Government encourages all citizens to recognise, showcase and celebrate our ‘multiculturalness’; to embrace our diversity, which your great religion is a symbol of.”
The Prime Minister noted that Trinidad and Tobago is blessed with myriad peoples, cultures, religions and traditions and urged Shouter Baptists to maintain their faith and traditions.
“My friends today we bask in the sunshine of the achievements and the freedom of a group once regarded as a threat to the established societal order.
“Today, you our Spiritual Baptist brothers and sisters may ring your bells triumphantly in acknowledgment and celebration of your faith.
“And just as you believe your members are reborn by immersion in living water; so too I ask the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to immerse yourselves in the many cultural streams of our beautiful Nation emerging with a renewed appreciation of each other,” Persaad-Bissessar said
She added, “My fellow citizens, our Spiritual Baptist sisters and brothers open themselves to receive the spiritual gifts of healing, wisdom and understanding through meditation and fasting in the practice of the rite of mourning.
“So too as one people, one Nation, let us open ourselves to the gifts of prosperity and harmony through increased productivity, compassion and neighbourly care and concern.
“Today, my Spiritual Baptist/Shouter sisters and brothers, is your day to sing, to dance and to make a blessed and joyous noise in the celebration of your faith.”
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