Public Utilities Minister Nizam Baksh has offered to make representations to the Prime Minister to consider having the Chaguanas West by-election within the first 20 days in the Islamic fasting period of Ramadan. Fasting for the month of Ramadan begins on July 9 for 30 days.
He was speaking to reporters following a meeting he had with representatives of 41 Jamaats on Thursday at the Chaguanas Masjid. Imam Rasheed Karim said members of the Muslim community were comfortable with the by-election taking place as much as 20 days into Ramadan. However, Karim said the last ten days of Ramadan are observed by several members of the Islamic community who choose to stay at the mosques.
He said they are engaged in deep prayer and devotion at this time and are not obligated to leave worship to cast ballots. Karim suggested that any by-election should not be held during this time.
Meanwhile, Karim also said there was no place dedicated for Muslim festivals in Central. He said the National Council for Indian Culture (the NCIC) does not do a good job representing all the various cultural forms expressed by people of Indian origin. He said the NCIC uses the Divali Nagar site to propagate Hinduism and the culture of Hinduism. Karim said while he has no problem with this, equality should be expressed to the Muslim community.
They are requesting a portion of land at the Connector Road, Chaguanas, to set up an Islamic cultural centre for religious and social activities. “I am calling on the Government to provide subventions to all religious institutions to have programmes to curb crime in the country. When we have a function we have to beg sponsors and we are being asked by the State to assist in the battle against crime, yet the State is only talking.”
Baksh listened to some of the grouses of Central’s Muslim community. Baksh hoped to provide the various imams with information on how they could get state assistance. Imams said many of the mosques are without proper parking and there is a need for more cemeteries dedicated to the burial of Muslims. Baksh said the Government has mandated the National Commission for Self Help to assist all religious organisations.