Thursday June 20, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 15
Lawyer refuses to cross examine Beharry, Habitat partnering fully clad Muslim woman to build low income homes
- says “witness is throwing her religion in the face of the court”
Alexei Prashad, owner of the two pit bull dogs For the first time, Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond was faced with a sensitive situation on Tuesday—a lawyer who refuses to cross examine a Muslim witness because the woman, Khairoon Ali, insists on wearing her Hijab (veil). The lawyer in question is Huckumchand. He was at Court 10 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court; the Attorney-at-law insisted that he would not cross examine one of the witnesses because her Hijab (veil) prevents him from knowing for certain whom he is questioning. The lawyer contended that it is important for the court to see the expressions of the woman as well as her demeanor in full. Though advice from the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) indicated that the woman should submit her testimony in her garment because she is protected by the constitution which allows her to observe such religious practices, Huckumchand still remained firm on his position. When the case returned to the court, with the advice of the DPP, the Magistrate took Mrs. Ali into her chambers in the company of a female officer, who verified that it was her via her passport and identification card. But this was not enough for the lawyer and he asked for the case to be sent to the Chief Justice for advice. The lawyer stated, “Khairoon Ali, who is a Muslim, is throwing her religion in the face of the court.” Mrs. Ali said that only the males in her immediate family are allowed to see her face. “The Hijab is a means of protection and a sign of modesty and my decision is an act of obedience to Allah.” The case of Mobarak Ali, 64, of 46 Austin Street, Kitty, whose arm was brutally mauled by two ferocious pit bulls in Kitty last year, now
Mobarak Ali evokes a worrying uncertainty as it may face the possibility of being thrown out of court on its next hearing. When the case was first called before Magistrate Alan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court, the particulars of the charge read that on February 2012, in Kitty, Alexei Prashad, “being the owner of two pit bull dogs, knowingly suffered the animals to be at large in a rabid state.” Prashad pleaded not guilty. Ali had left his home at 5:15 am to visit the Kitty Masjid when he was suddenly attacked by the ferocious pit bull dogs. As a result of his cries for help, a neighbour, Aritha Scott, stood on her fence and threw buckets of water on the dogs in efforts to free him. Whilst other neighbours
assisted, the police were summoned and the defendant was arrested. When the allegation was put to him, Prashad, 37 of 49 Austin Street, Kitty, remained silent. He was subsequently charged for the said offence and placed on $10,000 station bail. The case was then transferred to the court of Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry on May 28, 2012 who later transferred the matter to Magistrate ChandanEdmond’s court where trial commenced on June 19, 2012. During trial, Prashad’s defence which started with Attorney at law, Vic Puran, was taken over by Hukumchand. The case was adjourned until June 24, when Magistrate Chandan – Edmond will make the final decision on the testimony of the witness.
Edward B. Beharry Limited (EBB) and Habitat for Humanity Guyana Inc. (Habitat Guyana) have partnered to raise funds for the construction of homes for low income families. The ‘Beharry Build’ project will be launched tomorrow at the Edward B Beharry & Co. Ltd Training Facility located at 191 Charlotte Street, Georgetown from 10:30am. This 12-month partnership will see Habitat Guyana receiving a portion of funds raised from the sale of Edward B Beharry products such as Chico, Champion, and Indi. The monies raised will contribute to Habitat’s efforts to alleviate poverty housing through its community. development initiatives inclusive of youth empowerment programs, disaster response and recovery training, and the like. The EBB/Habitat relationship will be one characterized by corporate responsibility in an atmosphere of collaboration to further the prospect of Guyanese families realizing the joy of home ownership. Edward B Beharry & Co. Ltd. has been in operation since 1937. Starting from
humble beginnings the company is now one of the largest food manufacturing and distribution companies in the Caribbean. The organization has an extensive range of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified products include Spices, Noodles, Confectionery, Baking Products and Pasta. The company’s distribution area includes Suriname, Trinidad and most of the Caribbean, and also extends to North America. Beginning its work since 1994 following an invitation from then President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Habitat for Humanity, Guyana was officially registered in Guyana in 1995. Since then the organization has supported more
than 3000 families within the country’s ten administrative regions, through partnerships with affiliates, home partners, volunteers and sponsors to build simple, decent and affordable housing for low income earners. The organization has undertaken home repairs, rehabilitation works, and assisted in accessing secure tenure. With a new programme direction added, focus will be placed on community development, disaster risk reduction, and social action and awareness. Via resource centres the organization seeks to make a stronger impact on communities through training, mobilization, and planning of various community driven projects.