ASJA: Extremists will not be allowed to threaten TT

NO EXTREMIST will be allowed to threaten the stability of Trinidad and Tobago. This was the declaration issued by ASJA president general Yacoob Ali when he addressed an Eid function at Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s La Fantasie residence, St Ann’s, last night.

Ali said while the holy month of Ramadan was one of “reflection, worship and togetherness” it was also a time “when the stresses in society have led to excess and we witness increasing anti-social and unruly behaviour, resulting in an upsurge in crime in our beloved country.” “Our community condemns too the prevalance, and use of, violence in any form to achieve any aims of individuals, groups or nation-states. In this regard, we cannot too strongly condemn the recent bombings in Turkey and elsewhere. The sources of disenchantment and discontent by the same token must be addressed. We must not tolerate in our community any extremist views, either by the learned who have foreign connections in our midst or otherwise by any individuals or groups in our society. “We have been and will continue to be a peace-loving and law-abiding community, living and working with all in togetherness and in harmony as a multi-racial and multi-religious people,” he declared.

Ali disclosed that to this end, ASJA has recently submitted its “final presentation” on the draft Terrorism Bill to Attorney General John Jeremie. The ASJA leader expressed concern about the levels of violence in the nation’s schools today but said his organisation fully supports Education Minister Hazel Manning’s efforts to bring the situation under control. Ali also expressed support for Government’s initiatives in the social sector and urged members of the local Muslim community “to avail themselves of the benefits as indeed all who may wish to access them to enhance their quality of life.” He reiterated ASJA’s opposition to the existence of casinos in TT and commended Government’s efforts “to curtail the increasing influences and proliferation of gambling institutions.”