Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Kazim Hosein yesterday urged local Muslims to pray for their brothers and sisters suffering in war-ravaged Palestine.
Hosein, who spoke at Eid celebrations at the San Fernando Jama Masjid yesterday, said: “If anyone has a hard heart, go and look at the videos with these children and you will cry and understand what it is like not to have parents or not have a son.”
Hosein became emotional as he described the sadness of waking up on Eid and not seeing loved ones because they had died.
Also at the celebrations was Energy Minister Stuart Young who delivered greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. Young revealed that one of his first cousins had relatives in Palestine and had experienced pain at the start of the war between Israel and Palestine when he could not locate some family members.
He said the T&T Government supported Caricom’s call for an immediate cease-fire in Palestine.
“Today, my message to you is, let us continue to understand and choose between right and wrong. You have a government that understands that,” he said.
Young said when the Government made hard decisions over the last nine years, it was for all and never for a few and everyone will soon have to decide how the country moves forward.
Maulana Atif Majeed Sulaimani reminded the attendees that Eid is a day of Alhamdulillah (gratitude) for the blessings of a loving family, good health, wealth, and the precious opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. He also highlighted how local Muslims celebrate Eid by adorning themselves with fine clothing and perfume in a peaceful environment, free from any threat of violence.
“Thank Allah for being able to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in a peaceful and secure environment where the people have no threat or any concerns that someone would throw a bomb on top of their head, no fear that someone is going to kill my children, remove and eliminate my entire family from the face of the earth,” Sulaimani said.
He asked: “How on earth can we forget you on this day of celebration, my brothers and sisters, while we celebrate here, beautifying ourselves with beautiful garments, many do not have this opportunity.”
Sulaimani said Allah’s tests are not always in the form of difficulties and trials as sometimes Allah challenges people by placing them in the comfort of wealth and fulfilling their desires to see how grateful they remain.
It is their responsibility to speak up for Palestinians not only as Muslims but as human beings, he added, noting that Muslims and Christians are dying in Palestine.
Sulaimani asked if individuals felt sorrow when they watched videos where parents held their dead children.
He said their hearts might be lifeless if they are not broken-hearted.