In accordance with Islamic custom, the Prime Minister distributed alms to a large crowd who recently assembled in front of the San Fernando Jama Masjid on Mucurapo Street as he and his Ministerial colleagues Kazim Hosein and Stuart Young celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr.
As he got out of his car, he was hailed and cheered enthusiastically by those gathered outside the mosque.
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Dr. Rowley extended his hands in acknowledgment before starting to distribute money in tiny amounts to the numerous hands of adults, adolescents, and children who were asking for assistance.
After the epidemic prevented them from coming together for two years, Rowley stated in a message posted inside the mosque that it was a delight to reunite with his Muslim brothers and sisters.
He expressed his satisfaction at returning to the mosque and feeling somewhat safe, noting that ” we have overcome those dark days.”
PM Rowley noted, “It is my pleasure and honor to join you on an auspicious occasion where you have ended the fast to bring to you a greeting from the Government, to associate with you, not only in the prayers but in the rejuvenation and the strength you would have earned as followers of the teachings of one of the world’s great religion.”
He added, “This is our country and our country is so well blessed with the strength of the teaching of the various religions which all emphasize good over evil and the prospect of blessings if we follow that teaching.”
Rowley remarked in response to Maulana Atif Majeed Sulamani’s “pearls of wisdom and encouragement” that parents should be responsible and help their children who are straying, and that the words “are the words of a nation reaching out to its parents.”
He agreed with Sulamani’s counsel to families to either resolve their issues or harbored resentments because they think their point of view is correct.
Despite the challenges faced, he concurred with Sulamani that Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) were among the most significant nations in the world.
Rowley encourages his people, saying “Let us not take for granted what others fight for and even lose their lives for, which is the peaceful co-existence of people of different opinions. Today, we were encouraged to demand that our opinion prevails over all others but to acknowledge and respect other people’s opinions so that peace and harmony can exist among us.
“Those entreaties are good to reflect upon because those are the strength and the lifeblood of this diverse nation of T&T.”
Rowley continued by motivating the nation to use the restored strength obtained from the worship to contribute to a stronger nation, “Let us use the strength and rejuvenation of those of you who have done the fast. You would have done that and we believe that our nation is stronger because you have done that because you have undertaken to follow the authentic guidance given to us today by the leader of this worship.”
Rowley made a call for the country to “live together, pray together, grow together, and prosper together, in good or bad times.”
“We can all maintain our belief that we would always succeed if we subscribe to the teachings of good over evil,” he continued.
He concluded, “Today, let us celebrate, let us enjoy the breaking of the fast, the ending of the period of fasting, and go forward, stronger and deeper in our belief that T&T would prosper as long as we all live together in unity.”
