Noor Hassanali

Noor Mohamed Hassanali TC (pronounced [nuːrə moːɦəmməd̪ə ɦəsənɑːliː]; 13 August 1918 – 25 August 2006)[2] was a Trinidadian lawyer, judge and politician who served as the second president of Trinidad and Tobago from 1987 to 1997. A retired high-court judge, he was the first person of Indian descent along with being the first Muslim to hold the office of President of Trinidad and Tobago, and he was the first Muslim head of state in the Americas.[3][4]

His Excellency
Noor Hassanali
TC
2nd President of Trinidad and Tobago
In office
20 March 1987 – 17 March 1997
Prime MinisterA.N.R. Robinson
Patrick Manning
Basdeo Panday
Preceded byEllis Clarke
Succeeded byA. N. R. Robinson
Personal details
Born
Noor Mohamed Hassanali

(1918-08-13)13 August 1918[1]
San Fernando, Colony of Trinidad and Tobago
Died25 August 2006(2006-08-25) (aged 88)
Westmoorings, Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago
Resting placeWestern Cemetery, St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Citizenship
NationalityTrinidadian and Tobagonian
Political partyIndependent
Spouse
Zalayhar Mohammed
​
(m. 1952)​
Children
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer
  • magistrate

Hassanali was president during the 1990 Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt when an Islamist group bombed the nation's police headquarters, stormed its Parliament and took the prime minister and his Cabinet hostage. Hassanali, who was visiting London at the time and remained there until the government regained control, aided in calming his fellow citizens and getting rule of law and democracy back on track on his return. His tenure which was largely ceremonial was noted for its efforts to bridge the nation's racial divide and building consensus between various political parties.[5][6][7]

Biography

The sixth of seven children, Hassanali was born into a Muslim Indo-Trinidadian family in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago. He attended the Corinth Canadian Mission Primary School and Naparima College. After graduating he taught at Naparima from 1938 to 1943. In 1943 he travelled to Canada, where he studied at the University of Toronto.[8]

Hassanali was described as "one of the most neutral, reserved, and dignified figures in the history of T&T politics".[9] When he was inaugurated as president in 1987 he was described as "a person of impeccable credentials who has a reputation for honesty and humility of the highest order."[9] As a Muslim, Hassanali chose not to serve alcoholic beverages at President's House. Despite reservations on the part of Prime Minister A. N. R. Robinson, the decision was never seen as controversial by the public.[10]

Hassanali succeeded acting president Ellis Clarke (1976–1987) and was himself succeeded by Arthur N. R. Robinson (president 1997–2003).[11]

Hassanali died on 25 August 2006 at his home in Westmoorings, Trinidad and Tobago, at the age of 88.[12] He had suffered from hypertension for the preceding year.[12] Hassanali was buried later in the day, following Islamic rites, in the Western Cemetery in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago.[12]

References
Citations
  1. Lentz III, H. M. (2013). Trinidad and Tobago - Heads of State; Heads of Government. In Heads of States and Governments Since 1945 (p. 758). New York, NY: Routledge.
  2. Profile of Noor Mohamed Hassanali
  3. "Noor Hassanali". The Times. 29 September 2006. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 26 September 2019 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. "#BTColumn - Of Muslims and social justice". Barbados Today. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. "Noor Hassanali, 88; Former President of Trinidad and Tobago". Los Angeles Times. 27 August 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  6. "Obituaries". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  7. 25 August 2006, 8 August 1918. "Noor Hassanali". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  9. A dignified figure of T&T politics, Trinidad Guardian, 26 August 2006.
  10. "As one committed to the Muslim faith Mr. Hassanali never allowed alcoholic beverages to be served at any of his functions at President's House. I considered that as president of such diverse faiths as exist in Trinidad and Tobago, that one might appear to some to imposing one's belief on others. Nevertheless, this never became an issue in the country and the tenure of this noble citizen was marked by peaceful acceptance by the nation." Hassanali a model citizen – Robinson, Trinidad Guardian, 26 August 2006.
  11. The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - History of the Presidency
  12. Forde, Lester (26 August 2006). "Former president Noor Hassanali dead at 88". Trinidad Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
Sources
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