ASJA leaders trying diversion tactics

THE EDITOR: Once again, officials of the Anjuman Sunnat-ul Jama’at Association (ASJA) have woefully exposed themselves as followers rather than leaders with a streak of vindictiveness by arbitrarily issuing a directive to mosque leaders preventing one of Trinidad and Tobago’s leading Islamic scholars from lecturing on their precincts. The grassroots of the national Muslim community is to blame for the latest scandal which has further undermined their standing in this country, under attack since 1990 when a few misguided converts did the unthinkable by leading an armed attack on the House of Parliament and Trinidad and Tobago Televison (TTT).

This is so because mosque representatives have allowed themselves to be conned, bullied, coerced into voting into office the bunch of misfits who now make a spectacle of themselves on the national stage. By their lack of effective participation in this moribund organisation, they have allowed ASJA, purportedly representing Muslim adherents in Trinidad and Tobago, to join with the United States in their international crusade against Islam. They are trying the age-old tactics of diversion from their own failures to throw the spotlight on Maulana Imran Hosein and Maulana Nasir Ahmad when both learned gentlemen are better known to the Muslim community locally and internationally than the current pack of jokers who are no better than opportunists.

Both Islamic scholars have no hidden agenda, unlike the ASJA clique and have been doing what they do best and enjoy — educating the masses in an objective and moderate manner leaving the listener to draw their own conclusions on the Qu’ran and Sunnah (Saying, actions and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, Upon Whom Be Peace). The decision, reportedly on the recommendation of the Council of Imams is laughable if it were not such a serious issue, as this motley crew has been presiding over more than a 100 places of worship in Trinidad and Tobago. Under their watch, or lack of it, the flock continues to decline, the congregations remain illiterate in  Islamic practices, there are no programmes for the young children and the mosques remain empty though prayer five times a day is a requirement of the faith.

ASJA continues to use the Council of Imams to keep the Muslim community in ignorance and to perpetuate the survival of the executive whenever election times come around. Millions of dollars are expended in building projects for schools but no one knows how contracts are being handed out and to whom and what criteria are being used. May Allah, the Beneficient and Merciful  have mercy on all of us.

MUJAHIDDEEN OF ISLAM
Chaguanas