Martyrdom of Massa 'Damon' Abdul Haq - 1834

This year marks the 190th anniversary of the emancipation of slavery. In the same year of 1834 a significant event took place in what was once British Guiana. This event was the martyrdom of Massa 'Damon' Abdul Haq in Guyana.

After 200 years of slavery, some did not fully relinquish their Fulani and Hausa Muslim beliefs

brought from West Africa. After emancipation on August 1st. 1834 a Muslim flag was

raised on a pole in the Trinity churchyard in La Belle Alliance on the Essequibo coast - Guyana by Massa Damon. To the Muslim community on the Essequibo coast he was also known as Imam Abdul Haq (Naq). He was a Fulani from the region in West Africa

now called Ghana. He and his people were protesting the apprenticeship scheme which was a ploy by the British plantocracy to keep the freed slaves on their plantations.

This incident caused such a furor amongst the white plantocracy that it caused the Governor General of Guyana, Sir James Smyth to see to this incident. He arrived on Monday 11 August 1834 and the crowd quickly and peacefully obeyed his orders to end the seizure of the churchyard. Massa Damon's "flag" which flew proudly for 10 days in the churchyard was pulled down. He and a number of people were arrested and taken to Georgetown. They were tried and found guilty of a rebellion against the British. Massa Damon was found guilty and was hang to death. He became a shaheed (martyr) on Monday October 13, 1834 in front of the Parliament Building of Guyana on Brickdam. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Georgetown.

When the Muslims heard of this they prayed Salatul Ghaib for him led by Imam Tan Tan Lucas. Imam Tan Tan Lucas was a Muslim scholar of Fulani lineage. He arrived as a free man in Guyana just after abolition and was never subjugated to slavery. Due to his knowledge of Islam he was able to revive 'the ole religion' amongst the freed men and women.

Salatul Ghaib, referred to as 'Salaat Al Chaaib' in the historical documents, is the Muslim funeral prayer for someone in absentia performed by those often belonging to the Shafi school of fiqh within Islam. This school of Islamic jurisprudence is still the prevalent school in sub-Saharan Africa as it was when slaves were brought to Guyana centuries ago.

Thanks to Guyana's historian par excellence Imam Abdul Farouk Semple (left in picture wearing a green cap) of Masjid Dar-ul-Haq, Queenstown, Essequibo for providing historical documents.

Queenstown Village holds a prominent position in the struggle of Afro-Guyanese in attaining their freedom and independence. Formerly West Field, Mocha and Dageraad plantations; after slavery was abolished freed slaves bought these estates in 1840 in order to develop their economic independence. These estates were combined and renamed 'Queenstown' on September 25, 1841.

Fast forward to 1938, Queenstown Village was honoured with the visit by the legendary Jamaican freedom fighter - Marcus Garvey.

May Allah The One God and Supreme Creator continue to bless Imam Abdul Farouk, the Muslims of Queenstown Village and all those who strive for al- Haq (The Truth).

Ameen.