OPINION: It is said, ‘To each his own.’ The presidency permits no such luxury

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, 21:38 by Writer

By GHK Lall

Dr. Irfaan Ali is Guyana’s president. More than primus inter pares. He’s the uber leader, Citizen Ultra. Is he really? For anyone who thinks he is deserving of those notes of recognition and adulation? The first hard set of questions to come is respectfully put before Guyana’s foremost leader. The second set is humbly deposited in the hands and minds of all Guyanese. The third set goes before others. Believers in the Prophet Muhamad are first, may his name be glorified. The same question is then shared with swarms of nonbelievers to the nation’s patriots.

First, the president. Mr. President, who are you the leader for, which country and its rainbow of peoples? Who in Guyana looks up to you, Mr. President, as the nation’s leader? I couldn’t inspire myself to vote for you (sorry), but you are still held as this country’s leader. The outfits chosen and worn by you, Mr. President, on some special occasions, some with the most delicate sensitivities, whose clothes were they? I could be off, but those outfits don’t remind me of anything Guyanese. Especially those of different tribal and cultural origins. Maybe they were intended to be religious, as in the commemoration of Ramadan, and the celebration of Eid, late last week. But nothing in the attire of President Ali indicated even a smidgen of a relationship, or resemblance, to the way Guyanese Muslim men dress, then comport themselves in public for such occasions. In the privacy of their homes, and to bask in the applause of their floor-to-ceiling mirrors, yes. But not in public; haven’t seen that yet. Should His Excellency disagree, then a firm answer from he himself or his superstar Office of the President writing stable would suffice. Not for me, but for the Guyanese people. Now it is time to give them their place of honor, their due.

Second, any sober sweeping scan of the president’s Eid audience arrayed in rapt silence and respectful attention reveals that not a single Muslim brother, not one believer and follower of the faith made the same choice of dress for the occasion, as did the president. An occasion that marked the conclusion of a long month of days, and a faith-filled connection to a merciful and benevolent divinity. A time for inner reflection, and the same inspired peace, which was one of the luminous moments in the president’s homage to God before man. Now the question comes — not one, but two — and I am certain that there will be some level of discomfort, even embarrassment, all around. Were the devout believers and followers assembled before Guyana’s Pres Ali, (their president, [as Americans would excitedly say, their favorite son]) inappropriately dressed for the occasion? Were those humble, sincere, pious believers wearing the wrong clothes at the wrong time and in the presence of the wrong man? Now reader, I warn that discretion is advised, as some heavy-duty content is coming.

Third, could it be that Pres Ali was the one who was inappropriately dressed, given the time and place? What unease, uncertainty, did the president, perhaps unknowingly, infuse in his listeners, watchers of every gesture of his frocked arm, every swivel of his bedecked head? I asked. I now answer. A national leader standing before a national audience — small or large, select or sprawling — should always be attired in the most fitting national dress. What is traditional here? What is the norm here? What is appropriate, hence acceptable, in Guyana? This is not Live in Guyana, Dr. President. This is Guyana — Real and Raw. I wish it were some other way, but no choice was left.

Fourth, what about non-Guyanese? Do they harbor beliefs that Pres. Ali is a pretender, a wannabe, a gamester? Because he dons their treasured garb, and it mutates into the unseeming, the unsatisfactory. He can’t stand against aggression. But he can stand dripping from head-to-toe in the wear of warriors and ancient wisemen.

Be assured everyone, that I did not set out to pin the president against a wall, make him sweat. Just asking tough questions in difficult circumstances to unravel hard truths. Questions put to the president and public. It would inspire if Pres. Ali himself responds. No spokespeople, but the president himself, his heart. Guyanese of all spiritual, political, social callings wait.