PERMIT ME A response to Mr Hutson Inniss, who wrote in your paper yesterday under the caption Remember That You Are Bajan and proceeded to question the ‘Bajanness’ of Muslims living here.
First and foremost, let me correct Mr Inniss on his assumption that I “was quick to denounce the initial steps taken by President Trump to curb the flow of people entering the United States from seven specific Muslim-majority countries” and his finding it “difficult to comprehend why Barbadian Muslims . . . would feel the need to be vocal in their support of these seven countries”.
I wasn’t quick in doing anything nor do I feel the need to be vocal. A reporter called me, asked me some questions and I responded.
In fact, my response was no different to the millions of people across the globe who have not only been vocal, but have gone into the streets and protested this extremely irrational and discriminatory executive order.
Even our very own Rihanna tweeted: “Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!”
At least I was a lot more diplomatic than Rihanna. But Mr Inniss, do you question her “Bajanness” by such a tweet?
As to your questioning Muslims’ commitment to Barbados I find that rather insulting. I and most Muslims here are both Muslim and Bajan. Our nationality is Barbadian and our faith is Islam.
Being both does not make us less or more of one over the other. Because Muslims are more visible in our society by virtue of what they wear does not make them less Bajan. As you rightfully pointed out, when they open their mouths to speak you fully recognise they are Bajans.
If a Barbadian woman chooses to wear burqa or niqab, it is her right, just as it is your right to say you don’t approve of it.
I agree that Barbados is acclaimed for the friendliness of its people and that is why among the thousands of tourists who flock here, an increasing number are Muslim. Like others, they love to travel and have vacations and will choose a place that is friendly and accepting of them even if they wear a niqab or burqa.
I thank you for your words of encouragement and trust that your advice of not carving an identity alien to Barbados will resonate with all people living here who tend to alienate themselves into conclaves of race and class structures.
– SULEIMAN BULBULIA
