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The mosques of Port-of-Spain

 
sgtdjones 2017-07-10 09:28:08 

The mosques of Port-of-Spain

By the 1920s, however, some adherents of the faith had prospered exceedingly and were able to erect masjids in keeping with their elevated economic status. Foremost among these men was Haji Gokool Meah, who had come to the island in the mid-1800s and was left orphaned when his mother died. From labouring on an estate near San Fernando, he saved and bought a mule cart and later expanded into shopkeeping.

Gokool became a millionaire before his death at age 92 and was best known as the owner of the Globe chain of cinemas. The Globe Cinema he founded in Port-of-Spain still stands as an outstanding example of Art Deco architecture. At the time of its construction, it was the largest movie house in the region as well as one of the first air-conditioned buildings in the land.

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sgtdjones 2017-07-10 09:30:53 

Starting in 1935 with a gift of land from a prominent Muslim on Queen Street in Port-of-Spain, Asja planned to erect a grand masjid in the best Islamic tradition. One of the benefactors, bakery owner Mohammed Ibrahim, was the main driving force. Part of the donated property adjoined a piece of land owned by the patriarch of the Lebanese community, Abdou Sabga. Ibrahim tried to buy this parcel of land several times without success, eventually offering Sabga a blank cheque to make his own price.

The businessman promptly tore up this cheque, declaring that if the land was to be used in service of God he would gladly give it for free, which is what he did.


Great history of the Muslims in T&T.

 
Emir 2017-07-10 22:23:02 

In reply to sgtdjones

Let me tell you a little about Gokool Bhai. He was born in Kashmir. When his parents signed up to come to Trinidad, he was a toddler. His father died shortly afterwards and his mother remarried in her new country Trinidad but she also died when he was about 10 years old.

His step father neglected him. And, A pious Hindu Family took care of him in to adulthood and gave him the name Gookool.

He died in 1940, he was in his 90's. I was a young man when I first met him and I was in awe as he was the most prominent Muslim in the country back then. He was the first Trinidadian Indian Industrialist and Philanthropist

He left us a great legacy.

 
Khaga 2017-07-10 23:30:21 

Very interesting history..may peace continue to prevail in these masjids and the masjid goers..the believers have to be more vigilant than never and help root out any nefarious elements..