Denroy Morgan wants int’l Selassie holiday - Starts online petition for UN to recognise coronation day
Published:Friday | February 7, 2020 | 12:00 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Rastafarian elder and reggae singer, Denroy Morgan, is releasing a new single today. However, that is a small part of a much more serious mission on which he has militantly embarked. He is making a case for the United Nations (UN) to declare November 2 an international day honouring Haile Selassie I.
“This song, Holiday, is the soundtrack to the proclamation for the Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie to be made a public holiday. This is a roll call for the children of Abraham and a call to action for the children of Rastaffari,” Morgan told The Gleaner.
He has already approached the minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport and has followed her advice to get a petition with 15,000 signatures within a specified time, after which, the proposal can be submitted to the UN for consideration. The petition was officially launched on February 1, 2020 and the organisers have until March 11 to gather the signatures. Morgan says he and his team will be actively seeking the required signatures within the 40 days. “This proclamation is to amplify the divinity within His Majesty and see the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant. Just look at Revelation 5:5,” he urged.
Morgan elaborated: “We, as Rastafari, need to have this day for ourselves. Imagine, we have to celebrate Christmas and Easter wherever we are in the world, but there is no special day for us. As soon as we get the signatures, the minister of culture, Miss Babsy Grange, has promised, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, to bring the petition to the attention of the UN. Hallelujah!” Morgan chanted in praise.
The elder statesman and patriarch of the Morgan family, which also comprises Grammy-winning sibling group Morgan Heritage, is unwavering in his vision of the roles of various branches of Rastafari. “Bob (Marley) had his calling. I know that Bob was sent to the leaders of the world. Me and my family are sent to the churches as spiritual leaders,” he shared with The Gleaner.
On November 2, 1930, officials from 72 countries were present in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to witness the Coronation of the King of Kings, the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and Heir to the Throne of David, the Solomonic Dynasty and the Abrahamic Covenant, Ras Tafari, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I and Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Menen Asfaw.
On the website created for the proclamation of the UN day, it states, “We honour His Imperial Majesty for his love and concern for the sick, the poor, and the downtrodden; his condemnation of injustice; his respect for democratic principles and institutions; his exemplary life of service to humanity, his faith and godly principles. The stamp that the Emperor and Empress imprinted on the world will never be forgotten.”