Letter from Muslim cleric Umar Abdullah about Venezuela Government

Umar Abdullah

Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah

(The Islamic Front)

Phone Number in Venezuela is +58 -414 -1261025.

Telephone in Trinidad and Tobacco: +1-868-365-6253 and +1- 868-787-0765.

Email English from Umar Abdullah: (waajihatulislaamiyyah@gmail.com).
Email Spanish from Jeronimo Aranda: (posicleg@gmail.com )  

Telephone in Trinidad and Tobacco: +1-868-365-6253 and +1- 868-787-0765.

Attention!: We are writing this letter to you with the hope that I can bring some exposure and get some international attention of an unfortunate situation that should be highlighted and addressed. We are from Trinidad and Tobago and are writing on behalf of five Trinidadian nationals and one Haitian man who are being held captive in Venezuela with no trial and no charge while on their way to perform Umrah (Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia). - On 19th March, 2014 twenty-five Muslim men, women and children were arrested in Venezuela on suspicion of terrorism. Among them there were one Guyanese, one Haitian (naturalized Venezuelan) and three Imams (Muslim leaders) - On the 25th March, 2014 the four women and eleven children were release after a second court appearance. They were sent back to Trinidad on the 28th March. During the time of their arrest Venezuela was going through some sort of uprising. Hundreds of students took to the streets in protest to show their outrage against the current government and it's leader, President Nicolas Maduro.  Hundred of people were also arrested and accused of terrorism. Under Venezuelan law they are able to hold anyone accused of terrorism for a maximum of 45 days without charge while investigations takes place.  - On the 27th March A delegation of  people headed by Rear Admiral Richard Kelshall, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago left Trinidad giving the country the impression that they were going to make talks with the Venezuelan officials to secure the release of the Nationals. It was later claimed that it was because of their efforts the women and children were released. (Please take note of the dates).

During this one day visit Mr. Kelshall made some damning statements against three of the nationals arrested, in support of his informal statements made to the Defense attache of Venezuela here in Trinidad a few days prior. (Please see scanned attachment labeled TRANSLATED DOC and TRANSLATED DOC1 again please take note of the dates on the attached doc). This accusation made my Mr. Kelshall is false.  (See attached for clean certificate of character for the two men that condemning statements were made against) At the beginning men had one lawyer by the name of José Angel Fajardo Díaz and assisting him was another lawyer by the name of Luis Blanco. But because of the statements being made against two of the men the relatives and friends of the imams and the Guyanese national hired another lawyer from the Tamayo and Tamayo law firm in Caracas, Venezuela. The group of men were now separated and this has also caused separation in the islamic community here in Trinidad. After the 45 days the three imams and the guyanese were released. The remaining six men ( 5 Trinidadians and 1 Haitian national) are being held up to this day without cause.  Investigations has long been completed and no evidence found and no charge has been laid. These innocent men are continuously being held in a Sebin prison in Caracas, Venezuela. Twice, the men had to make an appearance before the court on two separate appointed days. They never made and appearance due to the unavailability of transportation. The new court hearing is now deferred to the 29th July, 2014.  

A diplomatic note was sent from Trinidad External Affairs Ministry on the 18th June to the External Affairs Ministry in Caracas to open diplomatic dialog between countries to seek the men's release . That is as far as it reached. No dialog or follow up was made after the note was sent and confirmed receipt. The Trinidad government has not taken a handle of the situation and everything was left in the hands of the unstable justice system in Venezuela. No one in the government has come out and made a statement on the matter or met with anyone of the families. Our letter to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago a month ago was never answered. The families of these men are getting the run around. After Five months as of today, they are out of options and finances. It is beyond difficult as we have to hire someone to cook halal meals (food prepared as prescribed by Muslim law) on a day basis for our detained muslim brothers. Our application for halaal meals were futile. These men are the sole bread winners and they were snatched away from their wives and children. The lawyers too, are out of options and is asking that we put pressure on our government to do something in the matter as it is 100% political. Our External Affairs minister directed us to the Trinidad Embassy in Caracas.

We are presently in Caracas on with the hope of meeting with Mr. Anthony David Edghill, the Trinidadian Consul in Venezuela, the lawyers and other key individuals who might be able to assist us in this matter. Question is who do we turn to for help while these men are serving time in jail without a trial or without cause? We have knocked on all doors. Please we need your help! - The lawyers José and Luis  will be more than willing to share details about the case. 

The men detained are : Wade Charles, Dominic Pitlal, Leslie Daisley, Asim Luqman, Andre Battersby and Joseph Jules (Haitian).

Yours sincerely,

Umar Abdullah

Head of Waajihatul Islaamiyyah

(The Islamic Front)

Phone Number in Venezuela is +58(414)1261025 

Telephone in Trinidad and Tobacco: +1-868-365-6253 and +1- 868-787-0765.

Email English from Umar Abdullah: (waajihatulislaamiyyah@gmail.com).

Email Spanish from Jeronimo Aranda: (posicleg@gmail.com )

Thank you