Government has decided to support masjids and jamaats throughout T&T, and for the Holy month of Ramadan, each Muslim group will receive $5,000 in cash, Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed said at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference. He made the announcement as he confirmed that August 9 had been officially announced as the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. He said Cabinet in accordance with the Public Holidays and Festivals Act, set the date yesterday.
Mohammed said some of the leading Islamic organisations, on the occasion of Eid, would receive substantial donations from the Government, totalling $3 million by the end of the year, including the Trinidad Muslim League, the Islamic Missionaries Guild, the Islamic Resource Society. “The Government is committed to ensuring that all religious groups in T&T get support so they can celebrate their events in a proper manner,” Mohammed said.
On another matter, Mohammed said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has made reference to the July 27, 1990 attempted overthrow of the government, during the Chaguanas West by-election campaign trail to bring some bearing to what happened then and what is happening in society today. “But we have to be very careful that we do not interpret it too much. It was just a matter of a reference that was made by the Prime Minister,” he said.
Mohammed, however, urged that as the 23rd anniversary of the event comes up on Saturday, all citizens should cherish the democracy we enjoy because it was a sad day in our history when democracy was challenged. He said the day was particularly significant coming before the Chaguanas West by-election on July 29 and Emancipation Day on August 1. “But it happened and it’s part of our history and we must recognise that after so many years, it is still a stain on our nation’s history.
“On Emancipation Day on August 1, we must remember this day as one when our democracy stood tall and when people gave their lives for the freedom that we take for granted.” Asked about the relevance of the commission of enquiry into the coup attempt by the Jamaat al Muslimeen, Mohammed said it took too long to happen.
“So let it run its course. Whatever is recommended by the chairman and the commissioners, the Government will consider it and if there is a need for action, I’m sure we will take that necessary action. It’s a process, it took too long in happening but let it happen please.” Questioned about the quality of campaigning in the Chaguanas West by-election, which some say has been centred on mud-slinging and not the addressing of issues, he said we live in a democracy and our electoral process is a part of that democracy.
“And we are so lucky that we have this freedom in our country where we can go out and campaign as we choose and support whichever party we wish to support and have the option to go and vote,” he said. “For those of us who reside in Chaguanas West, that option will take place on Monday. So it’s part of the democracy, it’s part of the electoral process, a campaign.”