My Detention for CHOGM 2009

Assalaamu ‘Alaiykum; Peace and Guidance to all;



Sorry for being away for so long. This was all due to my detention
during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2009, held in Trinidad and Tobago. I was deemed a security threat to the meeting and more so to the French President Nicholas Sarkozy.

I was detained while attempting to board the inter-island ferry to Trinidad on Eid ul Adha. I was at the time helping a man carry his luggage – he too was detained. We were both escorted back to the port where our persons and luggage were searched by Special Branch Officers. We were then taken to the Scarborough Police Station for further questioning. The man I was assisting was subsequently released after his story was checked out.

All the while I was seated in an open room area with other officers. I was offered refreshments and a meal which I refused at the time; I was later given bottled water and allowed two phone calls to two of my wives, upon request. While in this area I was questioned by an officer about National Security issues, sometime later there were reports of two robberies in the Scarborough area which they attended to and because of a lack of man power I was placed in a holding cell for a short period, Whilst here, very surprisingly, I was offered a prayer mat which I accepted in the form of a large plastic bag I was also asked at what time I had to perform my prayer and so I was given a reminder when it was time. They indicated to me it was not their intention to place me in the holding cell but due to a lack of man power as I stated before they had no choice. They made sure I was comfortable and even put the air condition on and was told if at any time I felt too cold they would adjust the temperature. I was questioned at length while I was in the holding cell about matters relating to Islam, the Middle East and South East Asia – The Red Mosque in particular – and my Organisation.

Later that evening, Muslim brothers was allowed to visit and purchase a meal for me. At this time, I was taken out of the holding cell and returned to the open room area where the brothers came and had a short conversation with me I was allowed to greet them in the traditional way by shaking hands when they left.

A short time after I was informed that my home and business will be searched for guns and ammunition, later that night I was shown two warrants bearing my name with my home and business address. I was escorted by two marked police vehicles and a party of police Officers including one female officer. I requested of them to respect my home and business and in particular my wife to which they agreed. They made every effort not to alert my neighbours where I live and the residents around my business.

During the search my place was not ransacked as items was replaced in their original places and most important my wife was not disrespected in any way. Certain documents relating to my organisation and Islam were photographed at my office. Nothing illegal was found so I was taken back to the Scarborough Police Station where I was briefed as to why I was detained.

I was told I was considered a threat to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2009 in particular French President Nicholas Sarkozy which was made evident by a published document bearing my organisation name sent to the French Consulate and Sarkozy which was in response to his stance on the Muslim Sisters wearing of the Burka in France. I was subsequently released later that morning.


During my detention I was at no time placed in handcuffs, nor
disrespected in any way.


Following is a list of links relating to the story and the alleged
published documents:


http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/11/29/muslim-man-threat-chogm-held
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161563649
http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caribbeantalk/tag/trinidad-and-tobago/
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,111711.html


Links to the alleged published documents:


http://waajiahtulislaamiyyah.blogspot.com/2009/08/banned-from-swimming-pool-for-following.html
http://waajiahtulislaamiyyah.blogspot.com/2009/09/belgian-schools-ban-muslim-headscarfs.html
http://www.facebook.com/friends/?ref=tn#/inbox/?folder=[fb]sent&page=4&tid=1200714745124


Umar Abdullah

Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)

Tel: 1 (868) 787-0765/365-6253
Email: waajihatulislaamiyyah@gmail.com