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History of Islam and Muslims in Trinidad
- By Mohammed Rafeeq
- Published 12/30/2009
- Trinidad Muslim League
- Unrated
THE AMALGAMATION
On the death of Moulvi Nazeer Ahmad his association had a total of 233 members. This was but a drop in the ocean of the Muslim population and it was not possible for them to carry on without a leader. A committee headed by the president, Mr. Abdul Ghany made negotiations with the Tackveeyatul Islamic Association and after ironing out several differences both these associations were amalgamated on February 7, 1943. The Tabligh ul Islamic Association was dissolved and its membership absorbed by the Tackveeyatul Islamic Association, Inc.
Many months had not passed before trouble began anew. Differences of opinion began to manifest themselves in partisan feelings, sectarian wrangling, modern reforms, educational policies etc, etc. The amalgamation, which had been ushered in with such high hopes, was smashed to pieces and exactly one year after in February 1944, there was a distinct split. The association was divided into two, and physical violence was avoided only by the intervention of the Law. A chain of litigation and injunctions followed which lasted for about three years.
Finally the party headed by Moulvi Ameer Ali again showed their magnanimity and relinquished their connection with the Tackveeyatul Islamic Association for whose development they had laboured for over fifteen years. There is nothing to stop the march of progress and truth and Islam was not to he stifled within the narrow limits of sectarian boundaries. Moulvi Ameer Ali and his party were undaunted, and on Pakistan Day August 15, 1947 the Trinidad Muslim League was founded as a Non-Conformist (Ghair Mukallid) body.
Its foundation was laid only after a thorough survey of world Islamic conditions. The Universal Brotherhood of Islam was preserved by the proclamation that any one who accepted the Holy Kalima "La-ilaha-illallah Muhammad-ur-Rasool Allah". "There is no God but one God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God", is a Muslim. There is nothing to make one a Kafir except denial of the above formula. The authorities on religious matters were the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace). "Paradise lies at the feet of Mothers" said the Prophet, and women must be placed back on a high pedestal. The history of the Trinidad Muslim League during the brief span of six years can fill a volume. I shall not deal with that, since this will appear elsewhere in this Brochure under a separate title. This, however, I shall say, that during the past, internal wrangling were responsible for keeping alive the spark of religion among a community rising in stages from the ground. This was a necessary feature for self preservation, but today with the high standard of education and the realization of tolerance in religion there is an open avenue very wide in expanse for the younger generation, and for this reason I say that the foundation laid by the Trinidad Muslim League is not only a lesson for Muslims in Trinidad hut provides food for thought to Muslims in any part of the world.
Many months had not passed before trouble began anew. Differences of opinion began to manifest themselves in partisan feelings, sectarian wrangling, modern reforms, educational policies etc, etc. The amalgamation, which had been ushered in with such high hopes, was smashed to pieces and exactly one year after in February 1944, there was a distinct split. The association was divided into two, and physical violence was avoided only by the intervention of the Law. A chain of litigation and injunctions followed which lasted for about three years.
Finally the party headed by Moulvi Ameer Ali again showed their magnanimity and relinquished their connection with the Tackveeyatul Islamic Association for whose development they had laboured for over fifteen years. There is nothing to stop the march of progress and truth and Islam was not to he stifled within the narrow limits of sectarian boundaries. Moulvi Ameer Ali and his party were undaunted, and on Pakistan Day August 15, 1947 the Trinidad Muslim League was founded as a Non-Conformist (Ghair Mukallid) body.
Its foundation was laid only after a thorough survey of world Islamic conditions. The Universal Brotherhood of Islam was preserved by the proclamation that any one who accepted the Holy Kalima "La-ilaha-illallah Muhammad-ur-Rasool Allah". "There is no God but one God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God", is a Muslim. There is nothing to make one a Kafir except denial of the above formula. The authorities on religious matters were the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace). "Paradise lies at the feet of Mothers" said the Prophet, and women must be placed back on a high pedestal. The history of the Trinidad Muslim League during the brief span of six years can fill a volume. I shall not deal with that, since this will appear elsewhere in this Brochure under a separate title. This, however, I shall say, that during the past, internal wrangling were responsible for keeping alive the spark of religion among a community rising in stages from the ground. This was a necessary feature for self preservation, but today with the high standard of education and the realization of tolerance in religion there is an open avenue very wide in expanse for the younger generation, and for this reason I say that the foundation laid by the Trinidad Muslim League is not only a lesson for Muslims in Trinidad hut provides food for thought to Muslims in any part of the world.