Dillon meets Muslim, US diplomats

He urged the Muslim leaders to encourage their respective Jamaat members to speak with a united, positive voice while taking action to root out and displace the criminal elements .

Saying only a minority of persons who leave TT enter areas of conflict, Dillon said the vast majority of local Muslims are law-abiding, living in a country proud of its harmonious existence of all citizens .

Dillon said Government’s anti-terrorism agenda has a twopronged approach of legislative reform and operational mechanisms .

He stressed the need for heightened awareness among members of the Muslim community, as with all communities, and urged persons to share information if they see or suspect nefarious activities .

The Minister challenged the Muslim leaders to assist in the identification of potential terrorist recruiters and those who choose to enter into areas affected by conflict .

Hafeez Khan of the National Islamic Counselling Services, who led the Muslim delegation, was concerned about the negative image of TT and its Muslim community on international media .

US Embassy officials commended Government and Muslim leaders and assured that the US Government is a part of this approach to counter terrorism .

An undertaking was also given by the US delegation to provide reliable data to the Ministry including identifying possible causes which attract locals to conflict zones abroad .

More meetings are planned to build relationships between the Government and Muslim Communities, even as talks will also be held with other faith groups. Groups at the talks included the National Islamic Counselling Services; Islamic Resource Society; National Muslim Women’s Organization; the Anjuman Sunnat-Ul - Jamaat (ASJA) and the Trinidad Muslim League