Recent Blogs
- Beirut: Paris of the Middle East - NOT By Raymond Chickrie| Yesterday
- Why this hysteria about Guyana nurturing its interest in the Middle East, paricularly with Iran? By Raymond Chickrie| 02/5/2010
- The gift of the Qur'an By Dr. Waffie Mohammed| 02/2/2010
- Sabrun Jameelun - Persevering with patience is most fitting By Dr. Waffie Mohammed| 02/1/2010
- A small part on a big day By Amran Ellahi| 01/26/2010
Recent News
Barbadians react to proposed niqab ban in France
- Published 02/3/2010
Bulbulia noted to the Daily Nation that the ban actually refers to the veil known as a niqab. He said in Barbados some Muslim women also wore the hijab, a scarf that covers the hair, ears and neck only, leaving the face visible. In Bajan schools, some Muslim students wear the hijab, while the full veil is usually worn by Muslim females who have finished school, he pointed out. Bulbulia said the call for a ban in Paris might be a reflection of the ethnic and racial intolerance in European societies.
He also said that in our society where "a lot of people have been speaking about immoral dressing and dressing inappropriately" it should be applauded when "people take the decision to dress modestly".
Juan Boxill commenting on the Daily Nation online edition said that "the Barbadian society was "more developed, more understanding in terms of building relations among different groups of people". That is PSCY 101. Lets not get caught up with his reverse psychology crap. In this day an age, the full face should be shown, if not when will we know if its a criminal under those veils. Barbados, step up to the plate and ban the veils."
Nik adds his views saying "Those who are see this as a step backward are not aware of world current events. It amazes me how those who are living on foreign soil expect the utmost tolerance for their beliefs - what about the NATIONAL beliefs of the country they now call home?? Don't the French have the right to do what they believe will protect their country and people - muslims included???"
"Somebody should tell muslims that you can't build relations by hiding your face from other people. All you do effectively is make yourself a non person. Barbadians are an open and trusting people. These veils are alien to our society and introduce an unwanted and unwelcome feeling of distrust and suspicion." chimed in Inkwell.
Elder asks "Did anyone ever thought why veil is not banned in America? Why in France at this time? Does it have to do with local election to be held very soon? Nik believes that all muslims who lives in Barbados are not Bajans.Well! I have bad news for you ,over 80% of muslims have their naval string buried right here. Ottawa Bajan need to know that muslims from west Bengal camp over ninety years ago and today there are about fifteen hundred muslims in Barbados and most of them are born and bred Bajans.Come and visit us when next you come to Barbados and you will learn that we are not aliens from outerspace."
You can follow the full story and the ensuing debate by clicking on the read more link below.
Prince Charles invited to celebrate Islamic spirituality, arts and culture
- Published 02/1/2010
Founded in 1998 by lead singer Amran Ellahi with the mission of creating contemporary, positive and reflective music intended to increase people's understanding of one another to help build social bridges globally whilst working with all faiths and cultures towards sharing a message of peace, love and hope. Over the past decade Aa'shiq al-Rasul has reached thousands of Muslim youths domiciled in UK, Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Malaysia with its seven released albums and live performances.
HRH Prince Charles has a long track record of supporting arts and culture generally and particularly encouraging minority communities to sharing their culture with mainstream British society. This event will take place on 4th February 2010 from 12:30pm. to 5:00 p.m. at the Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford, Manchester.
Amran Ellahi founder and lead singer of Aa'shiq al-Rasul said "It's a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase to the Crown Prince the efforts being made to motivate British Muslim youth to be creative in order to develop and share the values and virtues universal to all societies"Aa'shiq al-Rasul is Britain's most versatile nasheed group into its second decade of performing. Its catalogue varies from the traditional to the contemporary, lyrics are performed in English, Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi; supported by percussion instruments, drums only or voice only. AAR on stage talent are Hafiz Amran Ellahi, Kamran Ellahi, Sheraz Yaqub, Tahir Khan, Tariq Aslam on vocals supported by percussionists Usman Malik, Harjit Singh and Claire Bond. AAR's vocalist are classically trained singers. Performing nasheeds, hamds, naats, qawalli, qasida, nasyhid, using classical and contemporary arrangements. Aa'shiq al-Rasul appeals to audiences with South Asian heritage as well as those who were socialized and cultured in the West.
Featured Articles
Dookie Meah - Founder of the first Trinidad Mosque in Calcutta Settlement, Freeport.
- By Shahid Ali
- Published 08/31/2009
- Nation Builders -Trinidad
- Unrated
Recent Articles
Hosay in St Vincent
- By Kumar Mahabir
- Published 01/21/2010
- Shi'ism in the Region
- Unrated
Extracted from "Race retention and culture loss: South Asians/East Indians in St. Vincent By Kumar Mahabir. This paper is based on an interview done in 1982 with a 93-year old Indian, Mr. James Woods of St. Vincent. The interview was done with Mr. James Woods, born 1889, at his home in Richard Park, St. Vincent , on March 15, 1982 when Woods was 93 years old."
Bahamas Muslim Community launches their website
- By Faisal Hepburn
- Published 12/31/2009
- The Bahamas
- Unrated
The Islands of the Bahamas is one of those places where the population of Muslims is less than 1%. This size represents a huge challenge to those Muslims who are mostly converts to Islam and are striving to live by the tenets of Islam every single day. There is one masjid (Muslim place of worship) which is still in the process of being built to completion and an effort is made to have the adhan (call to prayer) called for each salat (prayer) daily. The website is intended as a means to communicate the Bahamian Muslim Community's activities to its national audience and to reach out to all internationally. The website provides a history with an appendices of photos of some interesting historical documents dating to slavery times. It keeps all informed about community activities, photos of the masjid, provides answers to frequently asked questions and where one can find halal meat. You can visit the Bahamian Muslim Community in the virtual world by clicking the website or if your travels take you to the Bahamas why not visit the masjid. There is a contact form on the website if you wish to obtain further information directly from the community.
Hosay festival commemorated in Cedros, Trinidad
- By Newsday
- Published 12/31/2009
- Shi'ism in the Region
- Unrated
History of Islam and Muslims in Trinidad
- By Mohammed Rafeeq
- Published 12/30/2009
- Trinidad Muslim League
- Unrated
Over a hundred years ago when Negroes and Chinese had proven a failure in the sugar-cane-fields, Indians were imported from India under a system of indenture to save the sugar industry from ruin. Today through the indefatigable labour of these pioneers under severe and adverse conditions. Trinidad is a veritable garden and boasts of being one of the foremost and most progressive of the West Indian islands.
The first shipload of Indian immigrants arrived here by the "Fath-al Razack" in May 1845 while the last shipload was brought by the s/s "Ganges" in 1917. The total number arriving in the Colony amounted to 147,592 within a period of 72 years. They were mainly Hindus and Muslims and the history of their shock and disappointment, the pains and miseries of these poor souls under their term of semi-slavery, and the courage and fortitude with which they carried out their term of indenture will indeed make a good study for the humanist.
Out of the mass of immigrants that came 15 would be a good average of those that were literate, all of whom were men. The purpose of this article is to deal chiefly with the Muslims and henceforward; I shall confine myself to their review.
Six Guyanese Made the Haj in 1949
- By Raymond Chickrie
- Published 12/4/2009
- Nation Builders - Guyana
- Unrated

In 1949, the following Muslims of the former British colony, British Guiana, and close associates of the
Anjuman-E-Islam and the Muslim Association of British Guiana performed the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca:
Al Haj and Hajjah Ghulam Abbas
Al Haj and Hajjah M. I. Dookhie
Al Haj Karamat Khan
Al Haj Ramjohn (Ramzan);
It is noted in the publication, Islam and Nur-E-Islam (January 1950),
the official organ of the United Sadr Anjuman-E-Islam of Guyana that Haji
Ramjohn upon his return of the haj attended the all Guiana Muslim Conference and
delivered an address to the gathering of this visit to the holy land.