Trinidad 1990: The Caribbean’s Islamist Insurrection , by Sanjay Badri-Maharaj

This book analyzes the July 1990 attempted coup in Trinidad and Tobago.In introducing the background, Sanjay Badri Maharaj discusses the 1970 Black Power revolution.Compared to 1970, I doubt whether 1990 had any lasting positive effect or whether it influenced the individuals who, many years later, departed Trinidad and Tobago to join isis, as implied in the book.Maharaj provides no evidence for this claim, but repeats the mistake made by many journalists of assuming that these two events are linked.While they share similar rhetoric, no supporting evidence is provided in this book.The connection between the Jamaat and isis is therefore tenuous.The majority of past and present Jamaat members do not support isis.An incorrect picture was painted about Muslims facing persecution in Trinidad and Tobago and in the West generally; in fact, evidence shows that in the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada, Muslims enjoy religious freedom.Media statements made by isis members who were interviewed that depict perceived discrimination were based on isolated cases, and were not representative of the community.Muslims in Trinidad and Tobago, though small in numbers, have enjoyed much respect, especially since 1956 when the People's National Movement (pnm) came to power.There were Muslims serving as members of Parliament, cabinet ministers, and president of the Senate from 1971 to 1986.Also, from 1987 to 1997 there was a Muslim president of the country.The book also erroneously claims that the Jamaat enjoyed support and sympathy from local Muslims.Evidence shows that none of the existing Muslim organizations supported the insurrection.There is no report of any statement that Abu Bakr told isis members to go.Further, there is no evidence that Abu Bakr recruited on behalf of isis.Although he did not condemn isis, he did indicate, on local television, that persons "have gone there to die" because the local situation in Trinidad led marginalized people to feelings of hopelessness.Shortly after the 1990 insurgents were released from prison, a significant number of the leading members left the Jamaat and formed the Islamic Resource Society (irs).This group, led by Abu Bakr's former deputy, Bilal Abdullah, expressed remorse for their actions and became integrated into mainstream society with involvement in democratic political activities.The irs became aligned with the pnm which formed the government for several years and is currently in power.The irs is a mainstream Sunni Muslim group that has denounced the actions of isis, does charitable community work in the depressed, poverty-stricken

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