MUSLIMS AS INTEGRATORS IN THE CARIBBEAN: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER Caribbean Muslim Network Youth Transformational Leadership Programme 15 January 2018 Safiya Ali Attorney at Law, International Law and Regional Integration Specialist

Overview Islamic Perspective on Integration Integration in the Caribbean: CARICOM and Beyond Historical beginnings (political, trade) CARICOM Single Market and Economy Functional Cooperation Benefits and Opportunities Challenges

Islamic “Integration” Muslims as “one Ummah” “Truly! This, your Ummah is one religion, and I am your Lord, therefore worship Me (Alone).”  (23:52) United by common beliefs, obligations, practices “Thus We have made you, a (just) (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (SAW) be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah which you used to face, only to test those who followed the Messenger (SAW) from those who would turn on their heels. Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom Allâh guided. And Allâh would never make your faith (prayers) to be lost. Truly, Allâh is full of kindness, the Most Merciful towards mankind.”(2:143)

The Caribbean

Muslims in the Caribbean Minorities – some extremely small Divisions within the community Limited public knowledge/information Caribbean-Muslim relations “Integration not Isolation” From the Seerah – how did Rasulullah live in Makkah (note. An-Nisa 4:36) Historical – IMG (1960s); GIT course (1980s); Association of Islamic Communities in the Caribbean and South America (1980s)

Caribbean Integration Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 15 Member Countries, 5 Associate Members Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Wider Caribbean Caribbean Forum of ACP States (CARIFORUM) – EPA etc Association of Caribbean States (ACS) Cooperation Agreements (Cuba) Free Trade Agreements (Cuba, DR)

CARICOM: Members Associate Members Antigua&Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent/Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago Not all part of CSME Associate Members Anguilla, Bermuda, BVI, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands Applications from: French DOMs – French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique Dutch – Curaçao, Sint Maarten Not part of CSME arrangements Eligible for functional cooperation, most institutions

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM): History West Indies Federation – 1958 to 1962 First Heads of Government Conference convened to discuss the idea of a Caribbean Community - 1963 Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) - Dickenson Bay Agreement, 15 December 1965 Treaty of Chaguaramas establishes the Caribbean Community and the Common Market (annex) – 1973 “The Conference agreed in principle to the formation of a Caribbean Community (embracing the Caribbean Common Market, foreign policy co-ordination and several areas of functional co-operation)”

CARICOM: Towards a Single Market Grand Anse Declaration – 1989 Heads decided to transform the Common Market into the CSME in which factors move freely as a basis for internationally competitive production of goods and provision of services TIME FOR ACTION: Report of the West Indian Commission, 1992 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, 2001 Revised by 9 protocols negotiated between 1993-2000 Established a Single Market as integral part of CARICOM New Structure – Organs, Bodies, Obligations, a Court PILLARS: Economic Integration, Coordination of Foreign Policy, Human and Social Development, Security Cooperation

CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Factors of production are allowed to move freely Principles of Non-Discrimination GOODS Free trade in goods of Community Origin Common External Tariff for goods entering the Single Market SERVICES Right to provide services cross-border, to move to provide services etc CAPITAL ESTABLISHMENT Right to establish business in another CSME State etc PEOPLE

CSME: MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE Stated Goal is full Free Movement (Art. 45) Right of Entry/Stay for 6 months (Shanique Myrie) State Obligations: Removal of Restrictions, Non- Discrimination Movement associated with Services, Establishment – incl. managers/supervisors Skilled Nationals (certification system) University Graduates Media Workers Sportspersons Artistes Musicians Expanded Categories: Associate Degrees, Domestic Workers Note: Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs)

Integration Beyond Trade Functional Cooperation Foundation of regional integration (1973 etc) Specialist institutions (Art. 21) – some wider membership CDF, IMPACS, CROSQ, CAHFSA CARDI, CMO/CIMH, CDEMA, CXC, CASSOS, CRFM, CARPHA Security Cooperation – see CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy (2012) border security, intelligence, law enforcement, anti-gang, anti-terrorism, justice reform, social approaches (Faith-Based-Organisations) Health – CCH III - public health, PANCAP, accreditation (note other countries)

Integration Beyond Trade Education UWI, CXC, CVQs, Legal, etc Culture CARIFESTA since 1970 – XIV 2009 in T&T Cultural Cooperation Inter-Faith Cooperation Faith-Based Organisations – drugs, PANCAP (HIV/AIDS), gangs, social justice etc CARICOM Inter-Faith Meeting, February 2014 Reform of CARICOM to be based on moral values Proposal for regional faith-based organisation

Benefits? What are possible benefits of Caribbean integration to Muslims?

Opportunities? Muslim Organisations Muslim Youth Individuals Business persons/companies

Integration: Goal vs. Reality Revised Treaty envisaged a Single Market harmonised laws and administrative arrangements, common standards for professions, goods and services, common/regional institutions new structures, binding decision-making and a Court. Reality Slow pace of implementation Breaches of obligations Lack of enforcement measures/sanctions Varying political commitment National vs regional identity

Challenges! Identify Challenges to integration Are there specific challenges to be faced by Muslims?

Reading Material Community Law Sources Other Agreements Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Decisions of the Community Organs/Bodies Judgements of the CCJ (Original Jurisdiction) Other Agreements CARIFORUM – Cotonou Agreement (2000) ACS Agreement (1994) Trade and Cooperation Agreements Time for Action (Report of the West Indian Commission)

Reading Material CARICOM Reports/Statements Girvan: "Towards A Single Economy And a Single Development Vision.” Landell-Mills: “Turning Around CARICOM: Proposals to Restructure the Secretariat” CARICOM Strategic Plan 2015-2019 CARICOM Educational Material caricom.org csmeonline.org SAFIYA.ALI.TT@GMAIL.COM