Sweet Trinidad and Tobago

We Trinbagonians are, by nature a vibrant and dedicated people who are very keenly interested in caring for our family and friends. We are a patriotic people whose discipline, tolerance and production lie with our nation and its betterments. Though it may seem that our lifestyles surround only gossip, soca, crime and ideas lately, I strongly believe that religious tolerance is a definite reality in our country.

There are few countries worldwide with the level of religious tolerance as Trinidad. Where else in the world could you find men, women and children of different races and religion enjoying music, and indulging in one particular religious tradition such as Phagwa? Where else could you see all citizens dressing in traditional clothing for religious holidays that are not their religion as Divali and Spiritual Baptist day? Only sweet Trinidad and Tobago.

It is known that religion influences your whole family system. In our country, there are many families where the mother is a Catholic and the father is Hindu. As well, there are pastors in the Christian faith and their children are Muslims. It puts a smile on my face to know that we are a humane people who do not allow religion to impact our relationships. If anything at all, Trinbagonians only discriminate amongst our own people. Like our politicians among themselves and high schools among junior secondaries.

Just imagine, recently in a Muslim dominated city in the middle east, a family was isolated from their village, their home town, because their eight-year-old daughter was caught saying the Our Father prayer before eating her lunch at school.

Can anyone begin to explain the level of cruelty and embarrassment that this family faced? Owing to the fact that they were Christians, unlike most people in their city who could not tolerate — accept other’s religion, the family of four had to face isolation and worry about finding another home.

At least I can say Trinbagonians do not succumb to such inhumane behaviour. In fact, we have gone beyond tolerance to a definite compassion for all religions. We are becoming more aware of all religions across our twin island and I am proud to say, we are very eager to learn more each day. We have reached the stage of total social peace where religion is concerned.

Some might say “I don’t care what your religion is, as long as you nice.” Others may say, “your religion is your business and my religion is my business.” I am just satisfied that we all could tolerate — accept all religions in our country.

This is one good egg in our basket. It’s nice to know (that although society becomes more unsafe these days) violence is not a result when different religions come together.

My hope is however, that instead of only copying what other countries are doing, we as Trinbagonians could teach one page out of our book to other countries that fight amongst different religions daily.

My plea is that all other nations make religious tolerance a reality in their country. And I ask you, where else can you find Hindus, Baptists, Catholics, Rastafarians, Muslims and Christians living peacefully and tolerating one another. Only sweet Trinidad and Tobago.