MAN IS THE LEADER

Mohammed, who celebrated his 46th birthday yesterday, eight days after being detained on November 24, was the last of the detainees to be freed at the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre, Santa Rosa on Monday night.

He was initially taken into custody while in Gulf View, La Romaine after conducting transactions at a bank.

The detainees were freed after police failed to provide sufficient evidence for them to be charged for the conspiracy to kill the Prime Minister and three Cabinet Ministers.

Dressed in a cream coloured kurtah, Mohammed sat in a relaxed position as he spoke to Newsday yesterday morning from the gallery of his home at Southern Main Road, La Romaine.

“You don’t have to be a political scientist to see that this was carefully orchestrated to put the Muslim community under siege. Is one thing the Prime Minister cannot accept about the position women should hold. This is clearly stated in the Islamic law, that man is the leader,” Mohammed said.

“It is not about me, I did not say this, but is what Allah has said. And he does not accept it and he is the authority. Allah says clearly that women cannot take up leadership roles in State affairs. But he said they could assist,” Mohammed explained.

Referring to the spate of flooding in Trinidad since the Prime Minister was elected, in May 2010, Mohammed said this was proof that women were not destined to take up leadership positions according to his interpretation of Islamic law.

“Look at the flooding we have had since she was elected Prime Minister,” he said.

“If the Prime Minister has a problem, she should take it up with Allah, not the Muslims of the country. The Government made themselves look stupid. Muslims voted for her (Prime Minister). We don’t have a problem with her being the Prime Minister. The law is the law and we abide by it. I am not Allah. If you have a problem with what the Koran says don’t take it out on us,” Mohammed said.

Mohammed said he and his family remain traumatised after the ordeal of his detention. “Why would I organise a plot to kill the Prime Minister. This entire thing has now tarnished my reputation and I am a businessman,” he said.

Mohammed said he is yet to get back his vehicle, diaries, computer and cellphones that were seized by police officers. He said he is fearful that his rights would be taken away again.

“I fear that they would come back for me and nail me under the Anti-Terrorism Act. They don’t care about destroying people’s lives, nothing will stop them from coming back for me again,” he added. He also believes that he may have been targeted due to his dealing with a lot of money for several transactions with his business. Detainee Bryan Barrington, 42, speaking at his home in South Oropouche echoed similar views that his detention had tarnished his repuation.

Barrington, a former soldier, said he served the country for 12 years. He said he resigned on October 7, 2001 due to problems with a promotion but was held in connection with a murder two months later. Barrington served eight-and-a-half years in prison for the murder.

Barrington said he was detained two weeks ago in front of his wife, Nadia Baboolal, and one-month-old daughter Ruhaniyah. “I represented this country and this is what they have done to me and my family. Is like they looked at my background. I being a Muslim, having served time in prison and having been a member of the Defence Force. They have slandered my name,” he said.

Barrington said while being detained, he was forced to eat dog food and chicken with feathers. He said his family business was also affected tremendously.

Barrington and Mohammed both plan to seek legal action.