Dear Editor,
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Jamaica and the entire Bahá'i community of this island and the Cayman Islands joins in expressing condolence on the passing of this humble, astute, wise, kind, loving gentleman who was a friend to all.
Our late Governor General Sir Howard Cooke was a man who sought to live a God-fearing life. In so doing, he embraced the adherents of the different religions that share these islands. Shortly after his 1991 installation as Governor General, he started hosting weekly meetings at King's House with representatives of the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Bahá'í communities to discuss how religion could influence the economic, political and social development of our country.
He was concerned about the decline in parenting, the lack of love and unity in our relations with each other and in the adoption of uplifting values among our people.
It was because of his influence that these religious communities joined together to develop a centre of excellence in the Nannyville Gardens community, where children are fostered in a crèche and in a homework centre, where meetings are held with parents to discuss how they can improve relations with their children, all well as meetings are held with the representatives of both political parties to discuss the development of the community. The centre is appropriately named the Sir Howard Cooke Centre for Character Development.
Despite his ageing years Sir Howard attended a number of community meetings at this centre and was a source of inspiration for the organising committee and for the members of the community. The Bahá'í community is happy that its members were integral to the development of this centre. The community is grateful that because of his openness and his love, Sir Howard embraced discussions with Bahá'ís, visited our centre on a number of occasions, and in 2003 proclaimed July 25 as National Bahá'í Day. This was done in a proclamation published in the press in recognition of the 60th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Faith in Jamaica. We continue to observe this day annually.
Sir Howard was a special person. The manner in which he served this country was exemplary. May his beautiful soul rest in peace.
J McCallum
Secretary
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Jamaica
Bahá'ís say thanks to the late Sir Howard
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The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Jamaica and the entire Bahá'i community of this island and the Cayman Islands joins in expressing condolence on the passing of this humble, astute, wise, kind, loving gentleman who was a friend to all.
Our late Governor General Sir Howard Cooke was a man who sought to live a God-fearing life. In so doing, he embraced the adherents of the different religions that share these islands. Shortly after his 1991 installation as Governor General, he started hosting weekly meetings at King's House with representatives of the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Bahá'í communities to discuss how religion could influence the economic, political and social development of our country.
He was concerned about the decline in parenting, the lack of love and unity in our relations with each other and in the adoption of uplifting values among our people.
It was because of his influence that these religious communities joined together to develop a centre of excellence in the Nannyville Gardens community, where children are fostered in a crèche and in a homework centre, where meetings are held with parents to discuss how they can improve relations with their children, all well as meetings are held with the representatives of both political parties to discuss the development of the community. The centre is appropriately named the Sir Howard Cooke Centre for Character Development.
Despite his ageing years Sir Howard attended a number of community meetings at this centre and was a source of inspiration for the organising committee and for the members of the community. The Bahá'í community is happy that its members were integral to the development of this centre. The community is grateful that because of his openness and his love, Sir Howard embraced discussions with Bahá'ís, visited our centre on a number of occasions, and in 2003 proclaimed July 25 as National Bahá'í Day. This was done in a proclamation published in the press in recognition of the 60th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Faith in Jamaica. We continue to observe this day annually.
Sir Howard was a special person. The manner in which he served this country was exemplary. May his beautiful soul rest in peace.
J McCallum
Secretary
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Jamaica
Bahá'ís say thanks to the late Sir Howard
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