Muslim leaders have given Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar the all-clear to call the Chaguanas West by-election within the month of Ramadan if she so desires. This was revealed by the leaders of two Muslim organisations during yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.
Communications Minister Jamaal Mohammed, who chairs the weekly news conference, said the Muslim leaders met in special session yesterday morning at the PM’s office to discuss the possibility of holding the by-election in Ramadan, which runs from July 9 to August 7 this year. He said Persad-Bissessar invited the leaders to attend the meeting and there was “unanimous support and consent from all leaders of the Muslim community present.”
President general of the Trinidad Muslim League, Dr Nasim Mustapha, was one of the leaders. He told the news conference the leaders met among themselves before discussing the matter with Persad-Bissessar. He said: “We have come to the conclusion that if the by-election happens to be called during the month of Ramadan, we, the members of the Muslim community, would have no objections. It would in no way affect our religious obligations in this month.”
President general of the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association, Yacoob Ali, also took to the podium to express his support for the by-election if it were to be called in Ramadan. He said, however, he had asked Persad-Bissessar to consider the fact that during the last ten nights of the Ramadan, from July 29, Muslims would be “in seclusion,” but if she had to call the by-election during that period Muslims would still have no objection.
Persad-Bissessar said earlier this month if the by-election was held during Ramadan it would not be the first time. Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said based on the constitutional requirements, the outside date for the election was August 9.