Media Release: MASAJID SEARCHES DETENTION OF MUSLIMS BY STATE

Media Release:

Re: MASAJID SEARCHES DETENTION OF MUSLIMS BY STATE

The Waajihatul Islamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is strongly condemning the flagrant and wanton disregard of the state and by extension the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to further oppress and target Muslims of this country; more specifically Muslim communities and Jamaats which have contributed significantly to the population of Islam, the society as a whole and aides in mass charity efforts in this country.

The Waajihatul Islamiyyah (The Islamic Front)  regards the recent searches by Police officers in the following Masajid (Mosques)-Nur e Islam, Munroe Road, Sangre Grande, Bamboo and Laventille jamaats over the last few hours, as juvenile, baseless, and a clear indication of the vendetta and dislike of the state towards Muslims in this country, not to mention the disrespect and abuse meted out to a number of Muslim men from various parts of the country, who the Waajihatul Islamiyyah (The Islamic Front) understands is being detained in a number of several police stations throughout the country for a few days now.

This the Waajihatul Islamiyyah (The Islamic Front) fervently believes is a sour and pathetic attempt by the state to persecute Muslims in this country, and under the guise of “raids and searches” disrupt the Muslim Ummah (community) locally.

The Waajihatul Islamiyyah (The Islamic Front) asks the following questions:

Why were these ad hoc searches conducted to these reputable Masjids?

Explain why their was a so called search for “devices” from these Masjids? And why wasn’t such searches conducted in other denominational or public places of worship?

Why the unconstitutional detainment of Muslim brothers more than 72 hours with no arrest is still on going?

Why is the state persistent on attacking and disrupting the peaceful practice of Islam in his country?

Why wasn’t “searches for devices” conducted in well known hot spots such as Beetham, Sealots etc. ?

And finally,
Why is the state targeting Muslims in this country by disrupting Masjids and Muslims communities by making false claims that there is a plan a foot that Muslims are planning to disrupt Carnival celebrations? Why single out Muslims?

This cowardly and dastardly actions by the state specifically the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) must not be forgotten by Muslim community, and the following questions must be answered. Are Muslims the only group within the society who does not engage in the Carnival revelry? No, so why target Muslims?

Further the Waajihatul Islamiyyah (The Islamic Front) is calling on head of the TTPS for answers into this persecution attempt and attack on law abiding Muslims in this country.

For Immediate Release:
Date: 8th February 2018

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

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