PRELIMINARY REPORT ON CARIBBEAN MUSLIM FORUM

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000618 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INR/IAA (CARHART) E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2016 TAGS: PINR KISL TD SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY REPORT ON CARIBBEAN MUSLIM FORUM PLANNING REF: STATE 064703 Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Political officer met with Imtiaz Ali, organizer of the Caribbean Muslim Forum (CMF),on May 15. Ali mentioned that initial planning was for this year's CMF to be held Easter weekend, to establish a pattern following the 2005 CMF, but that due to difficulties with organizing it for April, the CMF has been postponed until June 17. Ali also noted that the website needs to be updated with some additional details, including the new dates. ¶2. (C) Ali reported that the organizers are attempting to raise funds to pay for transportation and lodging of a few participants from some of the smaller islands and Cuba. He also noted that they have invited a Syrian expert living in the U.S. to speak on Islamic finance. ¶3. (U) Post will continue to look for information as the CMF approaches and will report accordingly. AUSTIN