Minister
of State for Social Development and Local Government, Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago
Madame Fatima
Mik Davidson is the Minister of State for Social Development
and Local Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
In an interview given by her to the renowned Arabic Magazine
Men-bar-al-Islam of Cairo, Madame Fatima Mik Davidson (formerly
Mrs. Model Donafamik Davidson) talked about the beginning
of her encounter with Islam and how she ultimately turned
Muslim. She said:
"I totally deny the idea that I accepted Islam in 1975
by renouncing Christianity. Really I am quite unable to
understand and explain what the matter was with me. Let
me take you back to the 9th March, 1950, the day that was
fixed for me to enter Christian Monastery, When I woke up
in the morning of that day, I felt that voice - Allaahu-Akbar,
Allahu-Akbar) was ringing in my ears and it was thrilling
my entire inner self. Lo! I had come back to Islam.
'I did not quite know what it was, but the monastery I refused
to enter. After that I passed many years, seeking Allah's
guidance, until at last I was able to come across a copy
of the translation of the Holy Qur'aan. Then I readily put
faith in it. I happened to meet a Muslim scholar, Maulana
Siddiq from Pakistan and an Indian scholar Shaikh Ansari.
I had detailed talks with them about nature and what I felt
about it in my heart, so much so that these great scholars
exclaimed to me: Thank Allah you are a Muslim! You are now
a Muslim Lady. Read what you like, enter the Mosques and
pray. We are prepared to welcome you, whenever you feel
disposed to learn anything."
Iman Is Bliss
"I felt happy. Ever since that day I have been feeling
that my heart is overflowing with the bliss of iman (Faith)
and with love and high esteem for the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). Although the date of my formally
embracing Islam is sometime in the year 1975, I have been
a Muslim for the last 33 years, ever since the day I heard
the great mysterious voice and I refused to enter the monastery.
My heart proclaimed: Allahu Akbar: God is the Greatest).
"I was the first coloured girl to enter the Mosque,
This encouraged many Muslim girls to enter Mosques for prayer,
particularly the Mosque of the Anjuman Jami` Sanatal which
was founded by the great scholar Dr. Shaikh Ansari in the
city of Francis in Trinidad. Its present Chairman is| Al-Hajj
Shafiq Muhammad.
"Prior to this, the residents over there thought that
Islam was the religion of the Indians who followed so many
shades of religious tenets and paths. They thought Qadianism
and Ahmadism being more important.
"Later on a large number of the islanders, mostly of
African origin, embraced Islam, until the ratio of the Muslims
rose to 13 percent of the total population of the Republic,
as againstl 31 percent Catholics, 27 percent Protestants,
6 percent Hindus, and 23 percent others.'
Effect on her Duties
About the effect of her embracing Islam on her work in a
state where Muslims are not in the majority, she said:
"Islam demands of us efficient and sincere application
to duty and I practise the teachings of the Faith (Islam)
with sincerity. I do not tell Lies either in my (official)
work or in my (personal) life. To the best of my ability
and with strong consciousness of my heart I shun everything
that is repugnant to Islam. As regard the impact of my conversion
upon my work, it was nothing but all blessing and good.
Our former Prime Minister advised me to visit Egypt, because
it is the land of the renowned Jami'ah Al-Azhar and the
source of civilisation. He used to talk a great deal about
Islam.
"When I requested my present Prime Minister to give
me permission to visit Egypt in connection with my assignment
as Minister of State for Social Development and Local Government,
he agreed and also advised me to visit Al-Azhar and the
Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs about whose activities
we heard so much during our visits to the US and the UK.
"I took part in the parliamentary elections many a
time and came out successful in spite of being a Muslim.
I have worked as Minister for Education and Culture and
also as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Cabinet, although
I am a Muslim.
"I would like to tell something important. The Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago allows official holidays on the occasions
of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-uI-Azha festivals. The Muslims have
freedom to celebrate the month of Ramadaan in their houses
as well as in the mosques throughout the State."
She further said:
"I make an appeal to the Islamic World to close their
ranks because unity is strength, particularly under cover
of the excellent religion of Islam which has brought equality
to mankind and which regulates our relations and dealings.
It is, therefore, imperative that the Islamic World should
halt the wars raging among its certain states. It is possible
to resolve all difficulties and disputes with mutual negotiations,
consultation and understanding.
"Almighty Allah has guided me to Islam and I pray Him
to guide the Muslims towards fraternity and peace so that
they may in reality become in this present age the best
community that has been raised up for mankind."
Madame
Fatima Mik Davidson
Minister of State for Social Development
and Local Government,
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
