1. 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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. The Caribbean

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM): History
West Indies Federation – 1958 to 1962
First Heads of Government Conference convened to discuss the idea of a Caribbean Community
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)”

9. 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
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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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

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

15. Opportunities? Muslim Organisations Muslim Youth Individuals
Business persons/companies

16. 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

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

18. 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)

19. 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
CARICOM Educational Material
caricom.org
csmeonline.org