After the failed 1990 coup attempt in T&T and the attack on the US on September 11, 2001—the 13th anniversary of which is today—the Caribbean’s situation where the growth of Islamic fundamentalism and threat of terrorism is concerned has remained as high a subject of scrutiny as elsewhere in the world.
The arguments on the religious aspects of the Islamic issue have ranged far and wide for years, even centuries, argue some leaders of T&T’s Middle East-descended society, and the western presence over decades has further fuelled the debate. And some say the action by some international quarters has continued the fragmentation of the Middle Eastern landscape, with all its repercussions on the West.
A recent T&T security report on the issue has said, for instance: “The profound chasm between the Sunnis and the Shi’ites, or even the clash between the moderates and fundamentalists, both need exploration.” The report concluded that the struggle in the Islamic world has implications for the rest of the globe.
Any assessment on perception of growing threats to T&T and Caribbean would have to consider, among other factors, geopolitics and economic interests of key global players, T&T’s energy economy and religio-directions in the region, as well as situations in Latin America and neighbouring islands. T&T, Guyana and Suriname have the largest Muslim populations. Guyana and Suriname have been members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference since the 1990s.
Saudi-born Adnan El Shukrijumah, whose father is Guyanese, remains on the US’s 2014 Counterterrorism Calendar for Al Qaeda involvement and activities. The US had sought him since 2002 after he passed through T&T and Canada between 2001 and 2006 after visits to Panama and Honduras in 2001 and 2004. Known to hold T&T, US and Canadian passports, he entered T&T on a Guyanese passport for a “six-day stay with friends,” and stayed in central Trinidad, where he had ties to an Islamic institute.
His Guyanese father, Gulshair, brought the family to live in T&T in the mid-1980s, when he taught in mosques. Family members now live in South Florida. A US$5 million reward is still out for El Shukrijumah, described in 2010 as Al Qaeda’s operations head. Questions on the issue to T&T’s US Embassy didn’t receive a reply.
Al Qaeda, now under pressure to reclaim its status following the emergence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis), also known as Isil (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), disclosed last week it would open units in India. T&T’s record in various reports have also cited the history of fundamentalism here with the failed 1990 coup attempt and extradition to the US of T&T and Guyanese nationals on terrorism charges, as well as arrest of other T&T nationals in the US on gun and bombing plot charges.
T&T’s profile has also been marked since 2002 by increasing gangs, aided by US deportee statistics, guns and drug turf wars. Government’s Life Sport programme, halted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar after revelations of misuse by criminal elements, has now been added to the profile.
The foiled attack by a group in New York on the JFK Airport’s fuel system increased concerns about the growing presence of radical Islamic groups in the southern Caribbean, since three of the four charged came from Guyana and the other from Trinidad, and were Muslim converts showing the susceptibility of some to the influence of radical Islamic strains.
Eye on Caribbean
Intelligence reports note the regional presence of certain high profile Middle East fundamentalist groups in various South American territories, including Margarita, and their involvement in various aspects of the underground “economy”, organised trans-national crime. At least one report states some have been known to travel to Trinidad under false documents.
Experts confirm that any Islamic fundamentalism and/or terrorist activity in the region will more than likely have connections to what may be occurring in the Middle East. They also note that if culprits attempt to use the Caribbean for a hideaway or to obtain financial support through illicit activities, this would usually occur near followers of the religion.
Muslims are estimated to comprise about eight or nine per cent of T&T’s population, with healthy memberships in various organisations and a majority of moderates, though an increasing fundamentalist strip of fringe elements in recent decades. A report on the situation added that T&T is the only Caribbean country where radical Islam has been in the open since the 1980s.
The Jamaat al-Muslimeen was described as being formed in the mid-1980s. The assessment noted other small groups in T&T involving converts, including named figures described as extremists. Concern was expressed about recruitment among the poor and travel of some between T&T and certain Middle Eastern locations, as well as the courting in recent years of various Afro-Caribbean sectors by leaders of Middle East terrorist groups.
Various agencies have credited T&T’s law enforcement fraternity with keeping terrorism at bay thus far. Also, an advanced passenger information system and maritime/airspace cooperation agreements have facilitated capture of several people on international watch lists attempting to enter the region.
Recommendations have been emphasised, including the need to strengthen the level of migration and border security concerns in several areas like the south western peninsula, plus increased monitoring and surveillance systems, particularly concerning arrivals at ports of entry.
Deepening of co-ordination, agreements and resources among regional states and international partners on the issue has also been underscored, as well as attention on understanding the presence of various Middle East radical groups in and around Latin America and their ability to enter states, including T&T, via false documents.
T&T National Security officials said emphasis is also being placed on strengthening legislation, counter-terrorism capacity building and monitoring the transport of goods, as well as intelligence sharing.
