Deported Muslim cleric arrives home, Investigators place al-Faisal under their microscope

Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer

Muslim preacher Abdullah al-Faisal arrives from Kenya at the Norman Manley International Airport last evening. - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

JAMAICAN-BORN Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal, was quizzed by Special Branch investigators for nearly an hour when he returned to the island last night.

One investigator made it clear that al-Faisal had not broken any laws here, but said the police wanted to make sure they knew where and how to find him "because of the international attention he has received".

"He is a very smart man. He can tell us he is going to be here or there, but we want to make sure," said one investigator, who recorded the licence plate of the minibus that whisked al-Faisal from the Norman Manley International Airport.

Confronted by reporters as he exited the airport, the controversial Muslim cleric said he was too tired to answer any questions after two days of flying.

He would not disclose the route his plane took, but said the flight had been paid for by a South African company.

fuel stops

Informed sources told The Gleaner that after leaving Kenya, al-Faisal's plane made fuel stops in the West African country of Burkina Faso, the Republic of Cape Verde and Antigua.

One source said al-Faisal told investigators the trip cost US$500,000.

The controversial cleric was ordered deported by Kenyan officials who labelled him a security threat. However, since the deportation order, several countries, including the United States, have refused to allow planes carrying al-Faisal to fly over their air space or provide him with an in-transit visa.