Hafeez Karamath dies at 52

Controversial contractor Hafeez Karamath died Monday and was buried within hours in keeping with strict Islamic practices. He was 52.

Karamath was one of Trinidad and Tobago's biggest contractors and was involved in a messy court matter relating to the Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Desalcott). He, American Joseph Ben Dak and Israeli Daniel Hoffman were facing fraud charges.

The State case was that on January 1, 1998 and August 25, 1999, Karamath conspired with the two others to defraud the State through a dishonest water supply contract.

Karamath was also the contractor of a controversial government housing project at Beverly Hills in Laventille and the multi-million-dollar Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

Close friends and business associates have always rallied around Karamath, whom they described as a devout Muslim who dedicated his time and money to charitable causes.

One religious leader and businessman was quoted in the Trinidad Express as saying Karamath was "building dozens of masjids around the world...And he was involved in other water projects, not just Desalcott. He was digging wells in Africa and India because he wanted to help the people there."