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| A different kind of mas - Genesis 1 -Creation "alcohol-free, decent dancing, family friendly venture" |
The President of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Imam Hajji Abzal Mohammed has described as "a mockery of religion" the launch of a Carnival band called Genesis 1—Creation.
The band was launched on Tuesday at the Queen's Park Cricket Centre in Port of Spain by The Word and Associates.
The group's chairman, Derek Walcott, admitted that he expected to hear criticism of the ban. However he said the aim of the portrayal is to erase "the vulgarity associated with Carnival" and replace it with creativity and family.
The band has the support of the Roman Catholic Church. Monsignor Jason Gordon said the Church understands that Genesis will be an all-inclusive, "alcohol-free, decent-dancing, family-friendly venture".
However the IRO chief doesn't see it that way. Imam Mohammed said, "I cannot tell members what to do, but we can certainly tell them how we feel."
He told the Trinidad Express, "Catholics come together on Ash Wednesday, put on ashes to cleanse themselves and ask for forgiveness for what they have done. They fast and pray for some time, and then they go back and do the usual thing for the rest of the year. That is a mockery of religion."
The Express solicited the personal views of Pastor Mark David, a board member of the Open Bible Standard Churches, who said he doesn't have any issue with the concept of the band.
"However, I am concerned with what type of music they are going to be playing because that could disconnect all that they are saying. We are aghast at the vul
Pundit Mukesh Maharaj, a member of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), told the Express he doesn't like the "negative nature" of Carnival. "I don't like the whole idea of jumping up in a band, whether you are half-naked or fully clothed. This is my view and not that of the SDMS; other persons may have different views."
The band was launched on Tuesday at the Queen's Park Cricket Centre in Port of Spain by The Word and Associates.
The group's chairman, Derek Walcott, admitted that he expected to hear criticism of the ban. However he said the aim of the portrayal is to erase "the vulgarity associated with Carnival" and replace it with creativity and family.
The band has the support of the Roman Catholic Church. Monsignor Jason Gordon said the Church understands that Genesis will be an all-inclusive, "alcohol-free, decent-dancing, family-friendly venture".
However the IRO chief doesn't see it that way. Imam Mohammed said, "I cannot tell members what to do, but we can certainly tell them how we feel."
He told the Trinidad Express, "Catholics come together on Ash Wednesday, put on ashes to cleanse themselves and ask for forgiveness for what they have done. They fast and pray for some time, and then they go back and do the usual thing for the rest of the year. That is a mockery of religion."
The Express solicited the personal views of Pastor Mark David, a board member of the Open Bible Standard Churches, who said he doesn't have any issue with the concept of the band.
"However, I am concerned with what type of music they are going to be playing because that could disconnect all that they are saying. We are aghast at the vul
Pundit Mukesh Maharaj, a member of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), told the Express he doesn't like the "negative nature" of Carnival. "I don't like the whole idea of jumping up in a band, whether you are half-naked or fully clothed. This is my view and not that of the SDMS; other persons may have different views."
He wondered how they could play Carnival "without dancing and wining though because that is what Carnival has become. What are they going to do, walk through the streets?"
Decades ago the Maha Sabha objected to a Carnival band called "God and Worshipers of India" which they called a desecration of the Hindus religion. Then Prime Minister Dr Eric Williams ordered the cancellation of plans for the band.
Decades ago the Maha Sabha objected to a Carnival band called "God and Worshipers of India" which they called a desecration of the Hindus religion. Then Prime Minister Dr Eric Williams ordered the cancellation of plans for the band.
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