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| Deputy Police Commissioner Raymond Craig, who headed the police team to the Hyatt Hotel, also expressed his apologies over the incident. (File photo) | |
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, November 9, 2009 - The Trinidad and Tobago government and police have averted an escalation in a row with the Muslim community by issuing apologies to Saudi Arabia over the search and interrogation of a diplomat of that country.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed "an expression of profound apology in respect of the incident to the government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".
The apologies came after complaints from the Muslim community that Dr Fawaz Abdul Rahaman Al Shabili had been strip searched and extensively questioned by police while carrying out legitimate business in the country.
Imtiaz Mohammed, chairman of the Muslims of Trinidad and Tobago organisation, said Al Shabili came to the country to process visas for local Muslims hoping to take the annual Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. But while at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in the capital, police went and interrogated him and forced him to partially strip.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that the diplomat was deployed by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the express purpose of issuing Hajj visas for the 2009 season.
"In this regard, the ministry has conveyed an expression of profound apology in respect of the incident to the government and the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Muslims view the journey to the Holy City of Mecca to participate in Hajj as a lifelong desire. The facility which continues to be provided by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the people of Trinidad and Tobago is highly valued," the Foreign Ministry statement said.
Deputy Police Commissioner Raymond Craig, who headed the police team to the Hyatt Hotel, also expressed his apologies over the incident.
Mohammed said the apology helped to maintain good relations between the two countries and averted serious implications.
"The government has shown they can act responsibly when called upon to do so. All the other people, non-Muslims and Muslim, will feel quite happy because this will keep the relationship between the two countries in a peaceful and respectful manner," he said.
Mohammed had threatened to write to heads of state of all the Muslim nations scheduled to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in Trinidad and Tobago this month, asking them to boycott the event if no apology was issued.
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