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News Archive

Guyana Muslims meet President Ramotar

The executive of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) met President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday seeking to continue the ongoing endeavour of collaboration with the Guyana government on humanitarianism.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the organisation has an active programme for orphans and vulnerable children, and has a presence on rights commissions that represent children, women and gender issues and organisations that promote dialogue among the different religious faiths.
President Donald Ramotar greets CIOG President Fazeel Farouz in the company of CIOG member, Aleema Nasir
 CIOG President, Fazeel Ferouz, said “We have to sit down with the relevant ministries and ministers in the government… we are continuing our work with the health and human services and education ministries because as you know, the CIOG has schools.” During the discussion, President Ferouz used the occasion to extend an invitation to President Ramotar to the organisation’s planned religious event at the National Cultural Centre in February, with international nasheed group Aa'shiq al-Rasul.

The organisation provides sanctuaries for youths in difficult circumstances through its Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) programme at centres at East and West Berbice, East Coast and East Bank and West Demerara, Georgetown and Essequibo.

The orphans programme started in 1993 to provide financial, educational, medical and social assistance to orphans and vulnerable children. Additionally, the CIOG donates over $900,000 to these children on a monthly basis. Those successful at National Grade Six Assessment and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) also receive bursary awards.

The CIOG operates four schools which many of these children attend free of cost and are provided with vitamins, clothing, shoes,  housing assistance, spectacles and medical check-ups.

Alleged child molestation

A religious teacher from the East Coast of Demerara,  is under investigations for allegedly molesting a number of boys under his tutelage, was sent on leave following the accusations, the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) said yesterday.

The CIOG statement was one of two issued by the Muslim community, denouncing the alleged actions of the teacher, following startling allegations made by the victims and their relatives.

Police officials have since said that a police file could be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutor as early as today for advice. In a press release the CIOG said “The individual in question is employed by this organization. Since the allegations have been made, this person was sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation and any case in the courts,”.

According to the organization, which is the largest umbrella body for Muslims in the country, it has never and will never condone any unlawful act. “Our nation’s children are our hope for the future, and caring for them is one of our greatest responsibilities. Our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy families, protecting children, and supporting communities throughout this country, remains unblemished. We have reinforced initiatives that enhance the efforts of child protective service agencies to prevent and treat child abuse.”

CIOG said that it will continue work to ensure all children have the ability to live free from abuse and neglect by advocating for the safety of all young people.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Islamic Trust (GIT) is appalled by the news, alleging that a teacher  molested young boys.  “The GIT on behalf of the Muslim community wishes to state categorically that Islam clearly condemns and outlaws such abomination in the strongest possible terms and that the Muslim Authorities in Guyana in no way condone such disgraceful behaviour.”

The allegations would be shocking for Guyana, especially as it centers on religious teacher in the Muslim community, long considered one of the most conservative groups in the country.

Revolution in education: Digital textbooks

Apple is bringing its brand-name power to the fledgling market for electronic textbooks.

IBooks 2, a free app for reading interactive full-screen digital textbooks that makes liberal use of video and animations, was unveiled Thursday in New York by Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president for worldwide marketing.

Apple also announced iBooks Author, a free software application for Macintosh computers with custom templates to help authors create and publish their own digital textbooks.

Apple is broadening its iTunes U program beyond audio and video lectures by adding an app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch that allows professors to create full online courses, with assignments, books, quizzes and syllabi. Previously available only for the higher-education market, Apple is letting K-12 schools participate for the first time.

Kareem Ibrahim Sentenced to Life in Prison

BROOKLYN, NY—Earlier today, in the Eastern District of New York, United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry sentenced convicted defendant Kareem Ibrahim to life in prison for conspiring to commit a terrorist attack at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, by exploding fuel tanks and the fuel pipeline under the airport. Ibrahim and his coconspirators believed their attack would cause extensive damage to the airport and to the New York economy, as well as the loss of numerous lives.

The sentence was announced by Loretta E. Lynch, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in New York.

A federal jury convicted Kareem Ibrahim of multiple terrorism offenses in May 2011 after a four-week trial. The evidence at trial established that Ibrahim, an Imam and leader of the Shiite Muslim community in Trinidad & Tobago, provided religious instruction and operational support to a group plotting to commit a terrorist attack at JFK Airport. The plot originated with Russell Defreitas, a naturalized United States citizen from Guyana, who drew on his prior experience working at JFK Airport as a cargo handler to plan the attack on its fuel tanks and fuel pipeline. Beginning in 2006, Defreitas recruited others to join the plot, including the defendant Kareem Ibrahim, Abdel Nur and Abdul Kadir, a former member of parliament in Guyana. In May 2007, Defreitas presented Ibrahim with video surveillance and satellite imagery of the targets for terrorist attack because Ibrahim had connections with militant leaders in Iran.

During cross-examination at trial, Ibrahim admitted that he advised the plotters to present the plot to revolutionary leaders in Iran and to use operatives ready to engage in suicide attacks at the airport. On one of the recorded conversations entered into evidence, Ibrahim told Defreitas that the attackers must be ready to “fight it out, kill who you could kill and go back to Allah.”

Kareem Ibrahim abandoned the true tenets of his religion and plotted to commit a terrorist attack that he hoped would rival 9/11,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “But law enforcement detected and thwarted the plot, saving lives. Now, our courts have dispensed justice by handing out the life sentence that Ibrahim deserves.” Ms. Lynch extended her grateful appreciation to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force in New York for its role in investigating and prosecuting the case, as well as to the Guyanese and Trinidadian law enforcement authorities who assisted with the investigation and apprehension of the defendants.

Guyanese immigrants brought to ruin

New York: Since 2009, more foreclosures have been filed in Queens, NY, than in any other borough, according to the Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project. Five of the hardest hit ZIP codes in Queens are within a 15-minute drive of the office of Mr. Ehul Ahmad, who community leaders say once held about 75 percent of local real estate listings.

Paban Saha and Syed Husain, friends and former business partners, said they contacted him in 2006 after seeing his newspaper advertisements. They said he earned their confidence at their first meeting, when they watched him write a check to a charity.

Barbados Muslims held successful football tournament

by Suleiman Bulbulbia: The Barbados Association of Muslim Youth (BAMY)  recently concluded their 2011 Football (Soccer) Tournament.  The Barbados Muslim Association (BMA) sponsored the award for the “Most Outstanding Islamic Character” in each of the three age groups in the tournament.  The BMA is happy to support these activities as it is a means of bringing the young people in the Muslim community together.

According to their Facebook page, the Barbados Association of Muslim Youth (BAMY) is an endeavour that has been started with the intention of promoting Islamic brotherhood for the Muslim youth of Barbados through various types of sporting events and activities. The Association’s intention is to also provide various modes of recreation, entertainment and leisure activities which will become a means of strengthening the ties between our brothers and help to encourage love and unity within our island. The BAMY activities provide an opportunity to offer a healthy atmosphere through sporting competition by uniting the community, creating healthy team spirit, building self-confidence and so much more.

The tournament this year saw a record 14 teams participating in three age groups.  Spread over a five day period the tournament started on December 26th and ended on December 30th.  Rain on some of the nights did not dampen the enthusiasm and desire of each team to compete to the best of their ability as they played on in the heavy showers.

Participation came from all age groups, jamaats (associations) and ethnicity came together in the 14 teams to play at Murphy Pasture in the City against the backdrop of Bridgetown’s largest mosque, Jumma Masjid.

At the award ceremony, Maulana Aaakil, one of the Imams of Jumma Masjid, spoke of using the opportunity of these sporting tournaments to cultivate strong character which would bring benefit to the individual and community at large.

The persons receiving the award were judged by individuals who attended the event each night and in consultation with referees and other officials.  This award is an important part of the tournament and seeks to reward those who stand out in by their character and commitment to their principles of ihsan (excellence) both on the field and off.

Classes resume at Trinidad Muslim managed girls college

CLASSES resumed without incident yesterday at ASJA Girls’ College, Todd Street, San Fernando, just one day after parents and non- teaching staff members physically blocked a teacher from entering the compound in a heated confrontation.

The teacher, Patricia Mohammed, who teaches Economics, was allowed to go to her classroom and conduct classes.

"Old Fashion" teaching methods lead young British Muslims to jail

Out-dated ways of teaching in mosques is behind a dramatic rise in the number of young British Muslims going to prison, a top cleric has said.

Ahtsham Ali, an adviser to the Prison Service, said that mosques in the UK fail to understand the young men that come through their door because of imams arriving in the country and not being able to preach in English.

He said that more needs to be done to understand problems in society like family breakdown, arranged marriages and drugs.

Trinidad Muslim kidnap victim bones reported found

Trinidad:  Gasparillo businessman Tiki Ali is positive that bones found in Caroni on Thursday morning are of his son Naail Ali who was kidnapped from in front of the family’s business three years ago. The bones were taken to the Forensic Sciences Centre yesterday and a series of tests are scheduled to begin on Monday. Ali and his wife will submit samples of blood for DNA testing on Tuesday. Ali said although the remains had to undergo forensic testing, a pair of sneakers recovered from the grave belonged to Naail.

Naail Ali

He said the discovery had brought both anguish and closure to the family. Ali said he would find comfort in being able to give his son a proper burial under Muslim rites once the tests were completed. He said at around 10.30 am on Thursday, he was at his business place when received a phone call from his brother-in-law who was in the search party looking for his son’s remains. “I knew they were going to search for my Naail and I sent some of my workers and an excavator to assist the officers,” he said. “My brother–in-law called me, asking what colour sneakers Naail had because they found a bone inside of it. “I got another call around noon and he told me everything was wrapped up and they had found Naail’s remains. “I don’t really need the DNA testing to know that is my son.” Ali was in high praise for Corporals Sancock and Robinson of the Anti- Kidnapping Unit for their efforts to locate his son.

Choate: 'Kamla, I forgive you.'

In an interview with the Trinidad Express, Ashmead Choate that he felt nothing but forgiveness toward PM Persad-Bissessar.  

"At one point I would like to say, 'Kamla, I forgive you. That was my first gut feeling. That Kamla, whatever you have done to me or intend to do to me in the future, I forgive you. That's how I feel in my heart. If she was driving along the road and she got a flat tyre, I would be the first to fix it for her. I say that from here (pointing to his heart)," Choate said. 

He said he respected Persad-Bissessar as the leader of the nation and as someone who needed to be protected for the good of the nation.

Choate told the Express: "She is a woman, someone who needs to be protected. In Islam, a man protects a woman. I feel emotional about it. How can that (hatching a plot to kill) be done? Why would someone want to assassinate the Prime Minister? No. We are to protect her. You cannot even think those kind of thoughts. Of course I respect her as a leader."

Choate said he was shocked and surprised when he learned from police, while detained, he was pin-pointed as the mastermind of the alleged plot.

"That hit me hard. That hit me really hard," he said, as he recalled being served the documentation outlining in detail the allegation.

"For somebody to be falsely accused of being the mastermind in a plot to kill the Prime Minister and other ministers, it was a harrowing experience."

Choate said: "I wish that Kamla would clear our names. All of us. Clear our names by making a statement. Just like she came out openly that night and said about this treasonous act and assassination plot. Just as how she said that, she can come out and say that we were mistaken in our assessment of these people."

He said a statement by a Prime Minister was powerful enough to destroy someone's reputation.

"I know the children here (at the school) still love me, but I don't know what will be the reaction of people outside. And our reputation as Muslims is very important," he told the Express yesterday, as he sat on a bench on the compound of his school, Darul Qu'ran Wal Hadith Islamic School, at Calcutta No 2, Freeport.

Muslim T & T Cabinet members support leadership of PM Persad-Bissessar

Port-of-Spain, Dec 7th 2011: T& T Ministers Nizam Baksh, Fazal Karim and Nela Khan have spoken out about their unequivocal support for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and acknowledge her leadership. This sentiment was expressed in a press release sent out by the Government Information Services Ltd.

The Ministers were reacting to the published comments of businessman Ashmead Mohammed. Ashmead is one of 16 men released on Monday after being held for a conspiracy to murder Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. 

Mr Mohammed is reported to have said that  Allah is displeased because of certain positions women hold in leadership in the nation. Newsday quotes Mr. Mohammed saying “You don’t have to be a political scientist to see that this was carefully orchestrated to put the Muslim community under siege. Is one thing the Prime Minister cannot accept about the position women should hold. This is clearly stated in the Islamic law, that man is the leader,”  “It is not about me, I did not say this, but is what Allah has said. And he does not accept it and he is the authority. Allah says clearly that women cannot take up leadership roles in State affairs. But he said they could assist,” Mohammed explained.

“If the Prime Minister has a problem, she should take it up with Allah, not the Muslims of the country. The Government made themselves look stupid. Muslims voted for her (Prime Minister). We don’t have a problem with her being the Prime Minister. The law is the law and we abide by it. I am not Allah. If you have a problem with what the Koran says don’t take it out on us,” Mohammed said. 

spacer ASJA: A woman can lead a nation

Women can be, and have been, leaders in many nations, ASJA President Yacoob Ali said yesterday.

“ASJA does not subscribe to the view that a nation cannot be led by a woman, Ali said in response to claims of freed detainee Ashmeed Mohammed that women should not be leaders. “Even in Saudi Arabia, change is coming, change will come,” noted Ali.  ASJA is T & T largest Muslim organization.

“This is not a Muslim nation. People are free to elect a leader of their choice. We do not subscribe to these extreme views,” he said.

He cited examples of Muslim nations with female leaders, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan (who was assassinated) and Sheik Hassina of Bangladesh. Ali emphasised that ASJA supports Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Government.

“There are those within the society who are not au courant with the current world trends and everybody giving interpretations. This is not a Muslim nation,” Ali said.

Continuing to defend the right of women in leadership positions, Ali insisted, “ASJA in Trinidad and Tobago does not subscribe to the subjugation of women. We practise the middle road, where there is equal rights for women.”

Ali pointed out however that the only restriction placed on a woman is that she cannot be an imam and cannot lead prayers in a mixed gathering.


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