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Plea bargain in JFK Airport case

One of four men accused of plotting to kill thousands and cause an economic catastrophe by blowing up John F Kennedy International Airport pleaded guilty to a lesser count yesterday, the day before his federal trial was to begin. In heavily accented English and sometimes through tears, Abdel Nur, of Guyana, admitted he provided material support of terrorists, a charge that was not in the original indictment against him. The lesser charge spares him a possible life sentence. Instead, he now faces up to 15 years in prison. Nur admitted he told co-defendants Kareem Ibrahim, Abdul Kadir and Russell Defreitas he would provide them with protection and guidance on a trip to T&T in May 2007 to buy supplies. “I understand the destruction of the fuel and planes was to cause major economic loss in the US,” he said, reading from a statement. His plea did not include plotting to kill people. The four had been charged with conspiracy. A trial for Kadir and Defreitas is scheduled to begin today. Ibrahim’s case was severed after he went on a hunger strike in prison and became ill. It was unclear when he would be tried.

JFK TERROR PLOT TRIAL SET TO BEGIN

To the people of the Caribbean, the trial of four men charged with plotting to blow up John F Kennedy International Airport, New York, may be no big thing.

But for the people in the United States, it is considered a serious matter. The first step of the trial—jury selection—started on June 14 and, according to sources at the courthouse in Brooklyn yesterday, that process will take another two weeks before a jury is empanelled to hear the case against a Trinidadian and three Guyanese. Jury selection is taking place before Judge Dora Irizarry in the Eastern District of New York Federal Court. On trial are Trinidadian Kareem Ibrahim and Guyanese Russell de Freitas, Abdul Kadir and Abdel Nur. The jury selection process is moving along slowly, according to sources. When this is completed, the US assistant attorney will open the case to the jury and reveal the prosecution’s case and what is the evidence against the alleged plotters.


Trinidad Muslim publishes poetry book

Quiet, soft spoken and self-effacing, Haymad Mohammed is a teacher, charity worker and poet. He teaches at the San Fernando ASJA Primary School and gives extra lessons at the Islamic Home for Children in Gasparillo. This Claxton Bay resident, who has been writing for the past 20 years, is known nationally and internationally for his beautiful work. His writing has been published throughout the West Indies, India, Pakistan, and South Africa. The last place he published his works was in the Fiji Islands.

Eid Treats and Sweets

Tomorrow, Muslims worldwide celebrate the religious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. The day is observed by first attending mosque for Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, then families get together and share a delicious feast.  Traditionally, Sewine is the sweet which is served, and this is enjoyed from as early as breakfast time in some homes. Lunch is typically a wonderful assortment of eastern dishes. Desserts comprise irresistible Indian sweets. Food, with its universal, appeal knows no boundaries, so today we can all share in the beauty of this religious festival through the preparation and enjoyment of some of these appetising dishes.

Trini-Muslims end fast with tasty treats

Ramadan 2009: With the holy month of Ramadhan at its climax, Muslims culminate their fast to celebrate the auspicious day of Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow, with a public holiday declared on Monday. At the Macoon Street Mosque, Victoria Village in San Fernando, fasting Muslims have been frequenting the mosque throughout the day to pray, meditate and remember Almighty Allah. Since the start of the fast on August 22, many have been gathering at the mosque to break their fast with hot, mouth-watering meals prepared by a hard working group of women from the mosque, headed by chief cook, Hajjin Marilyn Mohammed.

From as early as 8 am, these women arrive at the mosque and begin preparations for dishes like curried goat, channa and aloo, pumpkin, stewed chicken, rice, dhal, mango anchar, callaloo, red beans, macaroni pie, fried rice, vegetables, fish and shrimp. To complete their tasty meals, cake and ice cream are served for dessert or a hot cup of coffee. For each day in Ramadhan, meals were sponsored by members of the mosque and other generous Muslim families. Last Saturday, the breaking of the fast and dinner were sponsored by Haji Mubeen Rambally and his family. Coincidentally, it was Rambally’s 55th birthday.






Hajjin Marilyn Mohammed, right, and several of the women take pleasure in dishing out food in the kitchen. Photos: Rishi Ragoonath


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