PRIME Minister Stuart Young, during his visit on Tuesday evening to the Debe mosque to partake in prayers and the breaking of fast, told worshippers that he was, "simply God's vessel" and he is here to do God's will.
He also appealed to “my Muslim family” to help unite and write a new chapter for Trinidad and Tobago.
Young was appointed prime minister on March 17, succeeding his predecessor Dr Keith Rowley, who is still political leader of the PNM. A day after being sworn-in, Young dissolved Parliament and called the general election for April 28.
Seeking support to continue as PM after April 28, he vowed to continue to fight for Muslims and all of TT.
Accompanied by his Cabinet colleague Kazim Hosein, Young visited the Debe Islamic Association Masjid on Tuesday where he broke fast with the jamaat including members of his own family on his maternal side.
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Greeted like royalty, as it is the first time a sitting prime minister had entered its sanctuary, Young was met by Imam Maulana Masood Mohamed along with the PM's cousins, his aunts Nazareen and Gemma Hosein and uncle Bobby Hosein who still live in Debe.
Young said he was humbled to hear so much from so many about his family, including his grandfather and grandmother Doris, “who used to arrange the tea functions here,” as well as a personal testimony about his mother babysitting two brothers.
“Thank you all for welcoming me here today. I am glad through God’s grace and God’s will, that this is the first masjid I was able to visit during the Holy month of Ramadhan, right here in Debe.
“God has given us all purpose and without God we are nothing. I have come here to tell you all, I am simply God’s vessel. I am here to do his will, with your support and your love.”
Capitalising on the election season, Young, who left for Jamaica to hold US-Caricom talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, subtly sought support for his political campaign.
“I am hoping that together my Muslim family would be able to unite TT in a manner that has not happened before. I look around and see so many young people, I am asking that you join us as we begin to write a new chapter for TT.”
He called on the Islamic faithful, to “Ignore evil, ignore the negative because you all in this gathering, especially in this Holy month know very well what is good and what is said by God.
“It is up to us to do what God wants for us, to take our beloved TT to where it needs to go."
He shared with the congregation, his joy and surprise in meeting his god-daughter, saying he did not know she was in the country.
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“Thank you for welcoming me. I look forward to serving all of you and TT in the continued role as Prime Minister as I will continue to fight for our country and fight for what is right.”
