October, 2000
Greetings in the name of the Most High, Haile Selassie I, Jah Rastafari, to Brethren and Sistren in Ichirouganaim (Barbados)
The I am gave the word and great was the company that published it.
The Ichirouganaim Council for the Advancement of Rastafari-ICAR- is an umbrella organization accepting members from all mansions of Rastafari and affiliated with similar Caribbean Rastafari organizations working towards organizing and centralizing Rastafari.
It is important at this time of our development for I and I as Rastafari to be recognized as an organized body which would be capable of representing its members in cases of discrimination and abuse of human rights, whether it be in the area of religion, employment, school, travel or otherwise.
Membership of this organization will facilitate the movement/travel of Rastafari individuals, groups, expertise, goods and services.
The objectives of ICAR are as follows:
- To establish a charitable, non-profit organization namely for the advancement of communication, education, culture/agriculture and the promotion of training programmes beneficial to all brothers and sisters in Africa, the diaspora and Barbados in particular.
- To address discrimination against Rastafari in any aspect of our basic human rights.
- To enhance the spiritual, social and economic development of the community with special emphasis on the unemployed, socially marginalized and disadvantaged.
- To work with all Rastafari, Pan-Africanists and black-conscious brothers/sisters in the diaspora as well as on the African continent who are in pursuit of the same goals i.e. reparations, repatriation and the general development of Africa.
- To network with community-based organizations/NGO’s locally, regionally, and internationally whose aims are to protect the environment through sustainable development projects.
- To promote developmental programmes geared at strengthening Rastafari family life with emphasis on youth education
- To promote Rastafari culture in association with regional and international Rastafari communities
- The NGO may become affiliated with regional and international bodies with similar objectives
MISSION STATEMENT
TO NETWORK WITH LOCAL,REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RASTAFARI COMMUNITIES IN ORGANISING AND CENTRALISING RASTAFARI INTO THE NEW MILLENIUM.