In an attempt to put an end to the bloody fighting between warring gangs in Enterprise, Chaguanas, heads of the Enterprise Community Masjid desperately tried to host a meeting with the Muslim men suspected of involvement in the deadly feuding.
However, Imam Taulib Searles admitted yesterday that the meeting was rejected by his Muslim brothers. Fearing that things would worsen, Searles said he was now trying to organise another meeting in hopes of brokering some kind of peace accord.
He made the comment at a press conference at the masjid on Boodram Street, Enterprise, where he publicly distanced the masjid from the actions of the men purporting to be Muslims in the area.
"An attempt was made last Friday to hold a meeting with the Muslims who have been allegedly involved in these misgivings to answer and clear their names against what is being reported...The meetings did not happen," Searles said.
"However, a request was made by the group's leader to reschedule with other demands for an alternate venue and mediator."
Searles' statement came even as another man was gunned down at Todd's Road, in an incident police believe may be linked to the Enterprise feuding. (See other story)
As Searles spoke, a low-flying helicopter circled the masjid several times. It stayed in the area well after the conference ended.
For the past few months, residents of Enterprise have been terrorised by gang warfare. The murder toll and reported cases of shootings have also shot up in the area in recent weeks.
Head of the Central Division, Snr Supt Johnny Abraham, claims approximately 20 to 25 young men purporting to be Muslims are responsible for the escalated violence.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has been patrolling the community in recent days in an attempt to curb the violence, but residents have called for the army to be deployed.
However, yesterday, Searles distanced his masjid from the activity. He said he, and two other Imams considered leaders in the Chaguanas Islamic community, had held a gathering and invited the men they believed were involved in the recent shootings. He said he wanted to extend an invitation to the men to join the masjid and to help convert them back to a peaceful Islam during the meeting, but none of them attended.
Searles said he wanted to clearly separate the Enterprise Community Masjid from the shootings and violence, since his members were not part of the violence and gang activity.
Videos posted on social media by men from the community have alleged that the recent violence was sparked by a police officer acting in collusion with one gang member from the community. They claimed the officer had been using his influence to protect that gang leader's turf in return for pay.
The police have not responded to this claim but the Police Complaints Authority has asked anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward with the information.
Mosque numbers fall
Although Searles admitted to knowing the men he suspects of being involved in the shootings, he said he had not informed the police of their identities and did not intend to.
He said his community was a peaceful one but conceded he would not be able to protect his members from any direct threat at the mosque. This is why he said he would not "play hero" and divulge to the police the names of people he suspected to be involved.
Searles added he was disheartened to see so much violence during the holy month of Ramadan, as a result of which fewer people had been attending the mosque.
"I have told people don't come if they are not feeling safe," Searles said.
Despite this, he said, at least on Fridays there was almost a full attendance of almost 400 people. ?