With political tensions escalating between Venezuela and the noticeable increase of United States military activity in the Caribbean, the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association Inc. (ASJA) has issued a public appeal for calm, reflection, and responsible leadership.
“At this delicate moment in our shared Caribbean history, ASJA appeals firmly and compassionately for calm, dialogue, and co-operation,” ASJA’s statement said.
ASJA, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest and most respected Muslim organisations, expressed “deep concern” over recent developments, warning that the Caribbean must guard its long-standing reputation as a region of peace.
A Region That Values Peace and Stability
In its November 21 statement, ASJA stressed that the Caribbean has historically been a place where disagreements are settled through dialogue rather than conflict.
“The Caribbean has long been a zone of peace,” the organisation wrote, “a region where diplomacy and mutual respect prevail over aggression. We must not allow fear, mistrust, geopolitical pressure, or external power struggles to push our peoples toward instability.”
ASJA’s message was not only directed at governments but also at citizens, urging everyone to remain clear-headed and committed to peaceful solutions.
Remembering the Lessons of Recent Conflicts
ASJA pointed to the painful lessons of wars in Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Afghanistan—conflicts that left millions displaced and entire societies shattered, to caution Caribbean leaders against allowing similar tragedies to unfold closer to home.
“We have witnessed how war does not merely destroy buildings,” the association said. “It destroys families, shatters economies, uproots generations, and leaves psychological wounds that last decades.”
These global experiences, ASJA argued, should not be ignored, especially now.
A Call for Moral and Responsible Leadership
The organisation urged Caribbean leaders to pause and consider the long-term implications of every decision.
The loss of innocent life, displacement of communities, and the devastation of entire nations, ASJA warned, “must never be repeated in our hemisphere.” It added that any action that threatens stability or peace should be taken with “extreme caution and moral responsibility.”
A Universal Message From Islamic Teachings
While ASJA rooted its message in Islamic ethics, the values emphasised, peace, justice, honesty, and the protection of human dignity, are universal principles shared across many cultures and faiths.
“Allah commands believers to incline toward peace whenever possible,” the statement reminded, noting that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) consistently chose diplomacy, dialogue, and respect in times of conflict.
ASJA said these values offer timeless guidance that can help societies navigate difficult moments with wisdom.
Protecting the Caribbean’s Future
The organisation ended its message with a clear warning: the Caribbean must not allow itself to be destabilised by external power struggles or geopolitical rivalries.
As tensions rise, ASJA’s appeal serves as a reminder of what truly protects the region—calm leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and a collective commitment to peace.
