Kamla: God is testing us

In a statement issued yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said, “God often tests and tries those whom he loves.

He called upon Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice the object he loved most. Ibrahim answered the call and offered to sacrifice his son. Today God is testing and trying the people of Trinidad and Tobago.” She said God has demanded great sacrifices from citizens.

“Our country is bleeding from wounds inflicted by crime and greed. The poor are being victimised and oppressed.

“The cries for help and sympathy are being loudly sounded. Dark clouds surround us on all sides for the moment but we should not be daunted, for I am sure, if we show the same spirit of sacrifice as was shown by Ibrahim, God would rend the clouds and shower on us His blessing as He did on Ibrahim,” she noted.

She asked that the on occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, which symbolises the spirit of sacrifice enjoined by Islam, citizens resolve not to be deterred from the objective of creating a peaceful and loving twin island Republic.

“We must not let the trials and tribulations before us weaken the framework of our society.

I am confident that in spite of its magnitude, we shall sacrifice and overcome these grave challenges as we have done in the past,” she noted.

“Let us be thankful, rejoice, and remember, the “greater the sacrifices made, the purer and more chastened shall we emerge like gold from fire.” “My message to you is one of hope, courage and confidence. Let us mobilise all our resources in a systematic and organised way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great people,” she said.