Qatar’s non-resident Ambassador, Rashid bin Mohsen Fetais, recently paid a courtesy call on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, with Responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, and they discussed avenues for cultural cooperation, including the proposed construction of an Islamic Cultural Centre here.
During the meeting, at the Ministry’s new location in the Civil Aviation Authority Building, Charnocks, Christ Church, Ambassador Fetais told Senator Munro-Knight that decisions on its location, and how the mosque would be used to serve the community, would be determined by Government.
He also spoke about the accommodation and amenities to be included, along with an area for hosting receptions and other income generating activities when completed.
In turn, Minister Munro-Knight informed the Ambassador that there were several mosques on the island, and disclosed that based on recent discussions with members of the Muslim community, they were on board and ready to assist.
“They are engaged and ready to have an input into the process because we wouldn’t want necessarily to have any agreement without making sure that we have some conversations with the Muslim community as well,” she noted.
In addition, she mentioned the Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny (ROAD) Programme and how it fits into the wider framework of building a national identity and consciousness, and the importance of tracing one’s ancestry.
She further explained that the building of a Spiritual University, as part of the ROAD Programme, fits into the construction of the Islamic Centre.
Manager of the ROAD Programme, at the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc., Chereda Grannum, agreed with Minister Munro-Knight, and gave an overview of the project.
She described it as one of the “largest cultural heritage undertakings in the Anglophone Caribbean”, which involves the digitisation of our historical archives, the creation of the Ancestral Memorial at Newton Slave Burial Ground, and a museum dedicated to Transatlantic Slavery and Forced Migration.
Ambassador Fetais expressed his commitment to the project, and requested further information so that possible funding from his Government could be obtained.
The officials also discussed the feasibility of an oral history project about the Muslim community, among other areas of collaboration.
Ambassador Fetais expressed the hope that the cultural centre would be opened in two years’ time.
Barbados and Qatar established diplomatic relations on December 4, 2007.