The leaders of Trinidad and Tobago's Muslim community met Wednesday with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and assured her that Muslims have no objections to holding the Chaguanas West by-election during the holy month of Ramadan.
Persad-Bissessar met with the president general of the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jammat Association (ASJA) Haji Yacoob Ali, the president general of the Trinidad Muslim League (TML) Dr Nasser Mustapha, representatives of the Tacveeyatul Islamic Assocartion, Taakaful T&T Society, the Islamic Missionaries Guild and the Muslim Credit Union.
The Prime Minister has not yet announced a date for the election, which must be held no later that August 9, 2013. It appears certain that the vote would fall inside of ramadan, which begins on July 9, 2013.
Mustapha said, "If the by-election...happens to be called during the month of Ramadan, we the members of the Muslim community would have no objections, it will in no way affect our religious obligations in this month and we would definitely go ahead and support it"
Ali spoke about the last 10 days and its significance. He said during that period Muslims are confined to the mosque and do not have too much contract with the outside world "so that they would not be able to vote."
Persad-Bissessar met with the president general of the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jammat Association (ASJA) Haji Yacoob Ali, the president general of the Trinidad Muslim League (TML) Dr Nasser Mustapha, representatives of the Tacveeyatul Islamic Assocartion, Taakaful T&T Society, the Islamic Missionaries Guild and the Muslim Credit Union.
The Prime Minister has not yet announced a date for the election, which must be held no later that August 9, 2013. It appears certain that the vote would fall inside of ramadan, which begins on July 9, 2013.
The Muslim leaders said while they don't object to the election during the holy month, they would prefer if it were not held during the last 10 days of the fasting period, which is from July 29 to August 7.
Ali and Mustapha spoke with reporters at the weekly post cabinet media conference, explaining the position of the Islamic community.
Ali and Mustapha spoke with reporters at the weekly post cabinet media conference, explaining the position of the Islamic community.
Mustapha said, "If the by-election...happens to be called during the month of Ramadan, we the members of the Muslim community would have no objections, it will in no way affect our religious obligations in this month and we would definitely go ahead and support it"
Ali spoke about the last 10 days and its significance. He said during that period Muslims are confined to the mosque and do not have too much contract with the outside world "so that they would not be able to vote."
The general elections of 1976 and 2001 were held during Ramadan.
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