Opposition leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar is calling on the police to ensure that persons gathering at mosques for Ramadan observances are safe.
Noting that Muslims gather at night at mosques for several hours of prayer and Iftar, she urged police to increase patrols nears mosques during Ramadan.
She made the call via a statement today, as she extended greetings for the holy month, as fasting begins tomorrow.
Meanwhile Mrs Persad-Bissessar reminded that she has called on government to use T&T’s leadership of the UN General Assembly to demand a stop to the Israel/Gaza war.
She noted that Muslims have been praying for an end to the hostilities and believes they will pray even more for peace at home and abroad, during Ramadan.
Here is the full statement from the Opposition Leader:
I feel truly blessed by almighty God to live amongst many Muslims in our beautiful country, including my daughter-in-law.
Being in touching distance with my Muslim brothers and sisters reminds me every day about the humility we all need in building strength of character and warmth.
These virtues of Islam we should all grow in ourselves to make us better people.
And so, as Trinidad and Tobago joins the rest of the world in preparing for the start of the Holy month of Ramadan, I’d like to extend my very best wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters for a safe, peaceful, and truly fulfilling observance.
During this sacred month our brothers and sisters will live a life of reflection, fasting, prayer, and charitable giving.
This immense self-discipline and sacrifice are not just for their benefit but are like gifts to all humankind. It is known that humans are social beings, so let us all open ourselves to this contagious goodness and warmth of our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world.
Indeed, I would wish those of us who are not Muslim to join with them in prayer and fasting for the entire month. And we will see for ourselves that we will come out as changed men and women.
Through this sacrifice, we will receive Allah’s endless blessings in ways we cannot count or see immediately because Allah is ever present and supreme.
Self-discipline and sacrifice teach us that no matter how far we progress in this world, we must always reflect and face our shortcomings with the courage to change.
Indeed, these invaluable teachings should guide all citizens to work together to build a stronger, brighter future for our nation.
This year, Ramadan meets us grappling with local and global violence that threatens not only our social stability but also our humanity.
The ongoing bloody conflict between Israel and Palestine, marked by destructive Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip have led to the deaths of about 30, 800 and counting, as of this weekend.
It has also left 85 percent of Gaza’s population internally displaced, with shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.
I have called on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to use our current United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) leadership to demand a stop to the decimation of
Palestine.
I know our Muslim brothers and sisters have been praying for an end to these deadly hostilities. And they will more so, now.
They will also be praying for our beautiful nation, now besieged by a massive cloud of deadly, brutal, and unprecedented crime.
Given the fact that Ramadan is observed predominantly by Muslims gathering at night in our nation’s numerous mosques for several hours of prayer and Iftar, I make a special call to the police authorities to ensure that devotees are safe to engage in their religious observances.
I look forward to increased police patrols in the vicinity of mosques across the nation during Ramadan.
To my Muslim brothers and sisters, may Allah’s protection always be with you during this sacred month and beyond. Let us all make the love, kindness, and warmth contagious. Our nation needs it more than ever.
May your fast and performance of salaah bring light to your soul this Ramadan.
I pray that Allah, the most merciful, grants us mercy and forgiveness.
May your love, service, and sacrifice during the holy month keep doors open for you forever.
May the light that we celebrate at Ramadan show us the way and lead us together on the path of peace and social harmony.