Barakah Grounds Locked Down as Leadership Battle Deepens Following Inshan Ishmael's Death
A growing leadership dispute at the Barakah Foundation in Chaguanas has resulted in the indefinite lockdown of its premises, with police attending the compound as disagreements over management, financial matters and control of the property continue more than a year after the death of its founder, Inshan Ishmael.
The foundation announced that Barakah Grounds, located along Narsaloo Ramaya Marg Road in Endeavour, Chaguanas, was placed under lockdown on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and would remain closed until further notice.
According to a public notice issued by the organisation, the action was taken to regain control of the premises and remove individuals whom it alleged had been placed there without the necessary authority.
The foundation said police were notified and officers attended to ensure the situation was handled appropriately.
Photographs published by the Trinidad Guardian showed a security guard unlocking the gate to allow a vehicle to leave the compound, while another image captured a police vehicle outside the entrance.
The closure marks another development in a dispute that has raised questions about who has the authority to manage the foundation and its property.
Dispute follows founder's death
The controversy follows the death of businessman, philanthropist and Muslim community activist Inshan Ishmael on August 29, 2025.
Ishmael died after an approximately 18-month battle with cancer. His funeral was held at Barakah Grounds, where hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects.
At the time, family members spoke about continuing his charitable work, including his ambition to establish a hospital at the grounds.
His son, Zaakir Ishmael, was among those involved in carrying forward the family's involvement with the organisation.
However, disagreements subsequently emerged between Zaakir and the foundation's board of directors.
According to the Trinidad Guardian, Zaakir was removed as chairman by the board, a development that became central to the dispute over the management and control of the grounds.
The removal did not bring an end to the disagreements, which have since become the subject of public statements and discussions concerning the authority of those involved.
Financial allegations emerge
The leadership controversy has also become entangled with allegations concerning financial management and the handling of the foundation's assets.
In October, a statement circulated online under the name Barakah Grounds Food Court addressed questions surrounding copies of cheques that had reportedly been shared publicly.
The statement indicated that relevant documentation and supporting evidence had been placed in the hands of an attorney and expressed a preference for the matter to be addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
The authenticity and full circumstances of that statement have not been independently established.
In its November 3 lockdown notice, the foundation made further allegations involving financial misconduct, fraudulent activity and other wrongdoing.
However, the organisation did not publicly identify individuals responsible for the alleged activities or provide detailed evidence in the notice.
The allegations have not been established as facts, and the information currently available does not demonstrate that any individual has committed a criminal offence.
Questions over control of Barakah Grounds
The disagreement has also brought attention to the status of the property and the authority of those responsible for its operation.
Barakah Grounds has served as a venue for religious gatherings, community initiatives, commercial activities and public events.
The facility became closely associated with Inshan Ishmael during his lifetime, particularly through his charitable activities and efforts to establish a community hospital.
However, the ongoing dispute has raised questions about the distinction between the late founder's personal legacy and the legal authority of the foundation's governing body.
In the days leading up to the lockdown, social media discussions also raised concerns about access to the compound and its use during preparations associated with the Divali Nagar period.
Some online contributors made allegations concerning individuals reportedly present on the property and disagreements over parking arrangements.
Those accounts remain unverified and cannot independently establish wrongdoing by any of the parties involved.
The latest lockdown has nevertheless brought the dispute into the public spotlight, affecting access to a compound that has played a role in community life in Central Trinidad.
Foundation says action intended to protect its assets
In announcing the closure, the foundation maintained that the measures were intended to safeguard its assets, restore appropriate control and ensure its operations were conducted lawfully and transparently.
The organisation also apologised for any inconvenience caused to members of the public.
It stressed that the foundation belonged to the community, reinforcing its stated commitment to protecting the charitable purposes for which the organisation was established.
However, significant questions remain unanswered.
These include the legal basis for competing claims over management and control of the grounds, the circumstances surrounding the leadership changes and whether the financial allegations will result in formal investigations or legal proceedings.
A current response from Zaakir Ishmael concerning the November 3 lockdown has not been independently confirmed.
The presence of police at the premises also does not, by itself, establish that a criminal offence has occurred.
What happens next?
The lockdown has created uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of Barakah Grounds and the community initiatives associated with the late Inshan Ishmael.
There has been no confirmed reopening date, and it remains unclear whether the parties involved will pursue negotiations, court proceedings or other measures to resolve their differences.
For supporters of the foundation, the dispute also raises wider concerns about the future of the charitable vision established by its founder.
More than a year after his death, the organisation now faces a dispute that could shape its leadership, management and future operations.
Until those disagreements are resolved, Barakah Grounds remains closed to the public, with the foundation maintaining that the measures are necessary to protect the organisation and its assets.