Imam blames moral decline for crime problem

WITH the present spate of crime in the country and similar problems being faced the  world over, we need to come together with a common understanding to counteract illegal activities.

This was the advice of Imam Haji Rasheed Shah yesterday as he addressed the 11th annual Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at the Unity Court Complex of Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma. He also blamed our present challenges on a moral decline in our society. The celebration was attended by several other Imams and members of  some 11 Jamaats in the  vicinity. Speaking to the gathering, Imam Shah preached, “we need to put our heads together in our spheres of interest; we must assist each other in these times of chaos.”

The Imam continued, “So many organisations and groups are trying to solve the same problems. “But where is the sincerity? Everyone is crying down the other. Everyone is trying to look good.” He added, “The more there is division, the more the problem worsens.” Imam Shah said that present worldwide epidemics such as AIDS came about as a result of “looseness and lewdness in our society.” He said many wars have arisen because of  “disobedience and  ignorance to the laws of Allah, hence we hate each other.” On the present crime rate in the country, the Imam said many Muslims have now be- come afraid to practice customary late night worshipping at mosques. However he said, “The way of Almighty God is the way to success.”

Among recipients of awards for community service and other categories were Haji Abdool Kadir, Imams Raffick Khan, Shazam Ali, HQ Syne and also former PNM Pt Fortin chairman and mayoral election candidate Grantley Wells. Sharma expressed his elation at the event and the gathering. The event, organised by community worker Haroon Awardy, was attended by many of different ages in  Muslim garb. There was also the performance of quaseedas and Qu’ranic recitations.