Islamic organisation Umaah T&T wants to know why over 30 Islamic organisations were blanked government funding to hold their Eid-ul-Fitr functions.
The question was raised by Umaah T&T chairman Rasheed Karim yesterday, as the organisation held its annual Eid-ul-Fitr function at the Masjid ul Furquaan at Greenidge Street, Felicity, Chaguanas.
Karim said masjids were told they had to apply on a five-page-document for funding after money had already been distributed by government authorities. He said in the past five years none of the independent masjids had to make applications for such grants, which he said went to assist needy Muslims.
Karim called on the relevant authorities to address this issue without the bureaucracy.
“We have seen approximately 15 organisations granted that gift and the majority who are independent organisations that are not aligned with those 15 organisations, they are on the wayside,” he said.
“We are saying that this is a factor for discrimination. We are saying that should not be. In the past we have seen different strategies and different ways that were used that incorporated all the organisations—both affiliated and non-affiliated—and we are saying here today that is something that has to be addressed.”
In making the announcement of government funding for Muslim organisations at a post-Cabinet press briefing ahead of the July 6 Eid celebrations, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, explained that the money would be shared among the same organisations who received funding last year. But she also invited other organisations seeking funding to apply.
“There are other requests for grants which have been received by the ministry and those will also be considered for support and funding for the celebration of Eid for 2016.
“The Government can only do as much as it is able to and I am certain the monies that we are distributing will be used for the purposes for which they were assigned. I don’t anticipate there should be any fallout,” she said.
However, Karim said yesterday the process was not only being made cumbersome to independent organisations, there was also no guarantee of success.
“They are saying that independent organisations should re-apply. The application for that grant is approximately four to five pages long and applying does not guarantee that we are going to get any,” he said.
Karim said under the People’s Partnership government the grant was given without the red tape and started at a figure of $5,000 for the first two years and then went up to $25,000 annually in the last three years. He said when the figures were added up, the monies granted came up to under $2 million.
“Now this Government has given $3.075 million and it would not reach many organisations and members.”
Karim said those who benefited were the Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association (ASJA), Trinidad Muslim League (TML), Tackveeyatul Islamic Association (TIA) and groups he described as “political newcomers.”
Karim said Umaah will keep lobbying the Government until an amicable solution was reached.