Muslims urge unity in crime surge fight

The Muslim community is urging a united approach to address the troubling surge in violent crime that has claimed 27 lives this year, nearly double the number for the whole of last year.

Aakil Bhula, public relations officer of the Muslim Association of Barbados, told Barbados TODAY: “It’s about everybody getting together, understanding our roles and responsibilities, and trying to understand what the root causes are. I think that is where we need to go.”

Bhula emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy, rejecting the notion of focusing on a single initiative.

“Everything goes hand-in-hand. You can’t focus on one and not the other. So, that is why it is important for all stakeholders, whether you are family, schools, whether it is public sector, private sector, no matter what, everybody has a role to play,” he said.

The Muslim community spokesman plans to echo a message of dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution during Friday prayers, particularly targeting young people.

“We, as citizens of Barbados, especially young people, you don’t just resort to violence, fighting, swearing, hitting each other, as the first approach. It’s all about taking a step back, and talking it out amongst ourselves,” Bhula said.

He highlighted religious teachings that promote peaceful solutions, such as “swallowing your anger” and employing techniques to manage anger constructively.

Bhula noted that praying for the nation and addressing special issues is a regular part of Muslim practice, particularly during Friday prayers.

“As Muslims, we pray five times a day, and after prayer, we always pray for everyone, and that includes our island, and that includes the suffering, wherever they are; that includes for health and wellness, for safety . . . so that’s part and parcel of our religion anyways,” the Muslim Association official said.

The Muslim community’s call for unity comes in the wake of a national address by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who urged Barbadians to pause for five minutes on Saturday at midday in a symbolic gesture of national unity and peace-making.

In her Monday evening broadcast, Mottley asked residents to STEP up – whether they “see, touch, engage or participate” – in a united effort to restore peace to Barbados.

“I ask now every Barbadian, each of us, to pause for five minutes this Saturday at midday, for silent reflection wherever we are, whatever we are doing, other than of course the essential services,” she said.

Acknowledging the timing coincides with Crop Over festivities, including Kiddies Kadooment, Mottley emphasised the importance of the gesture: “It is important that we pause and reflect for five minutes, even in Kiddies Kadooment at midday, to send a signal that the majority of us want to build the common peace.”

The prime minister also called for religious services across the island to offer prayers for those affected by violence and for the strengthening of resolve among citizens. She suggested radio and television stations play appropriate music for reflection during the five-minute pause.

Mottley stressed that authorities will not surrender to “a handful of individuals who seek to cause panic in the country”.

Bhula expressed support for the prime minister’s message: “The prime minister’s message was very profound, and I think that’s what we need to listen to, reflect on and follow.”