Scepticism about the value of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast has not daunted the man who heads the organising committee.

The Rev Dr Stevenson Samuels says that while it was unfortunate that some people do not see the importance or purpose behind the event, and despite the fact that Jamaica is still plagued by crime and violence, there have been some notable achievements over the years.

“Since 1980 until now political tribalism is history in Jamaica,” he told the

Jamaica Observer after the 37th staging of the prayer breakfast at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Thursday morning. “We are no longer raising up one side against the other in a very violent way, that’s over. Look to August Town, there were zero murders in one year and in over 20 years that has never been achieved.”

Samuels said he was “very pleased” with the support the breakfast received, noting that the high turnout was a good sign that there still remains a strong interest in the event.

“We say that this breakfast and other positive initiatives are working in this country,” he said, pointing to the consistency of Jamaica passing International Monetary Fund tests across political administrations.

“We are getting somewhere in this nation, things are happening and I’m celebrating it. Transformation is going to happen in this country, it has already started,” he added.

In his address, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen spoke about the importance of the event while also making an appeal to Jamaicans to not let their emotions get the better of them.

“In the last few weeks, we have been deeply disturbed by the development involving members of the leadership within our church and… the public statements, the commentary, the media coverage. We find a range of expressions – anger, frustration, cynicism, disappointment and deep sorrow – reminding us that when anyone suffers, we all suffer, whether victim or perpetrator,” he said.

“So I ask of you fellow Jamaicans, not to allow emotions to overwhelm us but to move us in the end to acknowledge that we all have to be agents of change for the better. Righteous indignation is of little value without the accompanying commitment to love, mercy and to walk humbly with our God,” he added.

The proceeds from this year’s staging of the breakfast will be donated to Children First, a non-governmental organisation that helps children and youth in at-risk and underserved communities in St Catherine, and Kingston and St Andrew.