Media Release: Response to Newsday's Article - "Criminologist: Jail ISIS Moms."dated, Wednesday 16th October 2019, by Newsday's Journalist, Azard Ali.

Media Release:

Re: Response to Newsday's Article -  "Criminologist: Jail ISIS Moms."dated, Wednesday 16th October 2019, by Newsday's Journalist, Azard Ali.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is shocked and amazed with yesterday's, Wednesday 16th October 2019 article by Newsday's Journalist, Azard Ali which headline's read "Criminologist: Jail ISIS Moms." Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is making the revelation, the article is slanderous and misleading. "I didn't say jail. I said investigated. The case I made is that if the govt is to bring back the women and children, some of the women will have to be investigated and face justice in return."

"I'm for repatriation of women and children- but there has to be a reckoning with some of the women who knowingly took their kids to a war zone."

"They're not victims, the kids are, but not the parents, " said Simon Cottee when interviewed today by Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front's) head Umar Abdullah.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) holds the view that absolute care must be taken after the repatriation process is completed, in that mechanisms must be installed to assess and determine the intent of those who have gone and what were the circumstances that would have influenced their decision to leave. In the interest of security and safety for all and the promotion of proper growth and development in achieving the maximum benefit of actions taken, Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) suggests the commissioning of a specialist unit comprising of all stakeholders inclusive of, military, police, the judiciary, government, academia and civil society.

It is quite clear the newsday's editor prostituted the reputation of the Newsday paper for the "Almighty Dollar" in coining the headline in the manner it was worded, when obviously an alternative such as "Concerns for ISIS women when they return" would have drawn just as much attention as did the chosen headline did.

This was a grave compromise of the journalist's values and oath of duty were they testify the belief, that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism. - they further state the belief that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true. - and the belief that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is indefensible.

Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is calling on the Newsday editors to retract this story in like manner it appeared in the public and we call on the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago's, Dr Sheila Rampersad to immediately launch an investigation into the matter. Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front) views this as indulging in anti-Islamic sentiment rhetoric in an effort to spew hate and division within the Islamic community.

Link to article: https://newsday.co.tt/2019/10/16/criminologist-jail-isis-moms/

For Immediate Release:
Date: October, 17th 2019

Umar Abdullah
Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah (The Islamic Front)
Tel: +18687870765/+18683656253