President Irfaan Ali’s latest address to the Seventh-day Adventist Church has sparked unease among some members of the denomination, who say the increasing prominence of the Head of State at church events is blurring the line between religion and politics.
Ali, a Muslim, delivered remarks on Saturday at the centennial celebration of the Caribbean Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he urged the Church to help safeguard Guyana’s moral values amid the country’s rapid economic transformation.
Addressing the gathering at the National Cultural Centre, the President called on the Church to stand alongside the State in preserving what he described as the “soul” of the nation.
“Together, let us find the soul of this nation,” Ali told the congregation, warning that rapid development could lead societies to become wealthier without becoming stronger, happier or more united.
However, the appearance has reignited concerns among some church members about what they view as the growing intersection between politics and religion.
Several members told this publication that while they appreciated the President’s call for unity, faith and national values, they struggled to reconcile that message with what they described as the reality of Guyana’s increasingly polarised political environment.
“Many of us listened to the call for unity and protecting the soul of the nation, but then we look at what is happening at the national level and we see a very different reality,” one member said. “The politics has become increasingly divisive, opponents are often insulted or dismissed, and there is a widespread perception that access to state resources and opportunities is influenced by political considerations.”
Another member argued that messages about national unity carry greater weight when citizens see those principles reflected in governance.
“You cannot come to the church and preach unity while large sections of the population feel excluded from decision-making and national opportunities,” the member said. “Many people believe that state resources are not being distributed fairly and that political affiliation determines who benefits and who is left out.“
Several Adventists who spoke with this publication said they have become increasingly uncomfortable with what they describe as the President’s recurring presence at major church events. Publicly available records show that President Ali has addressed at least three major Seventh-day Adventist gatherings between 2024 and 2026, including the Guyana Conference Health Fair and Business Expo in July 2024, the Caribbean Union Conference’s “The Greatness II” youth camporee in April 2026, and the Union’s centennial celebrations this month.
Some members said that, in their years of involvement with the Church, they could not recall any previous period when a sitting political leader featured so prominently in Adventist programmes and activities.
“We have never before seen this level of political intrusion into the life of the Church,” one member said. “Political leaders have attended services and special events in the past, but what we are seeing now feels very different. The frequency of these appearances is causing many members to ask questions.“
Another member described the situation as unprecedented.
“In all my years as an Adventist, I cannot remember a president being this visible or this involved in church programmes,” the member said. “It is creating discomfort among members who believe the Church should remain above politics and political affiliations.“
One member, who requested anonymity for fear of repercussions, said President Ali appears to have become “a permanent fixture” at Adventist events.
“It is becoming awkward for many of us,” the member said. “The President seems to be always preaching from the Adventist pulpit. We understand that he is the President of Guyana and should be welcomed, but many members are beginning to ask where the line is between the church and politics.“
The member stressed that the concern is not rooted in the President’s religious beliefs, but rather in the perception that church platforms are increasingly being used for political messaging.
“We are already living in a politically divided society. The church is supposed to be one of the few places where people can come together regardless of political affiliation,” the member said.
Another source pointed out that many members are aware that the spouse of the Adventist President serves as a Permanent Secretary within the government administration, while the Church leader himself is often viewed as maintaining a close relationship with the government.
“Whether that perception is right or wrong, it exists among members,” the source said. “It does not sit well with many of us.”
According to church members, concerns are also emerging about whether political balance is being maintained.
“If the church is now becoming a place where political leaders are invited to address members on national issues, then many of us would also like to hear from the Leader of the Opposition, representatives of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) movement, and other political organisations seeking to lead the country,” one member said. “Why should only one political perspective be given access to the congregation?“
The source argued that if church platforms are being opened for national discussions, then fairness requires that other political voices also be afforded opportunities to engage members.
Others framed the issue as one of religious sensitivity.
One member questioned whether the President would be comfortable if the circumstances were reversed.
“If Guyana had a Christian President, would he be comfortable seeing that President repeatedly addressing congregations inside mosques and becoming a dominant presence in Muslim houses of worship?” the member asked. “That is a fair question.”
The concern, members said, is not whether political leaders should attend church functions but whether repeated appearances by one political figure risk creating the impression that a religious institution has become aligned with a particular administration.
During Saturday’s address, Ali spoke extensively about the need to preserve national values amid Guyana’s rapid economic transformation and invited the Church to play a greater role in addressing social challenges, including children’s use of social media and digital technology.
The President warned that harmful online behaviour was becoming increasingly normalised and called on religious organisations to assist in shaping positive values among young people.
While some members welcomed the substance of the President’s message, others maintain that churches must guard against perceptions of political favouritism, particularly in a society where political divisions remain pronounced.
As one member summed up: “The church should be a place where every believer feels represented and comfortable, regardless of their politics. Once members start feeling otherwise, then the leadership has a responsibility to listen.”
