Muslims march against crime in San Fernando

As Minister of National Security Jack Warner moves to confer powers of arrest to 1,000 soldiers, Muslims representing ten mosques in the south region yesterday participated in a march against crime. The Muslims started their march around 2 pm at the Jama Masjid on Mucurapo Street, San Fernando.

Chairman of Regional Council “C” of the Anjuman Sunnat-ul Jamaat Association (ASJA) Imam Raffaic Mohamed said he organised the event because of the increase in crime in the country. Asked whether he supported the move to grant powers of arrest to soldiers, Mohamed said: “I personally support whatever it takes to stop crime. It is a good measure and we have to support it because they are the ones in authority and they have to put things in place. We have to respect that.”

He added, “Islam teaches you that you co-operate in goodness and not co-operate in sin and corruption.” Mohamed said citizens must learn to live in peace and harmony. In commemoration of Rabi-ul Awwal, the birth month of the Holy Prophet Muhammad which is one of the most significant in the Islamic calendar, the imam said the community must help the police to solve crime.

“The leaders in the community from all religious paths must get their act together. We have to come under one common understanding. The level of crime taking place is not right for humanity. As religious leaders we have to influence the human race because we are creatures of God and we have to live in accordance with God,” Mohamed said.

However, he said many people are not willing to help the police because they do not feel safe. He also denied that Muslim groups in T&T were the masterminds of criminal activity. “There are lots of people who say they are Muslims or followers of Islam and this is not so. I cannot say that certain groups are heavily involved in crime. It would be wrong of me to say that,” Mohamed said.

He explained that his group hoped to influence other citizens to stay away from crime with the hope of bringing about a safer T&T.