Al-Rawi plans to meet texter, after sharing cell number

Jessie Dowlah, 18, is probably the envy of many women in TT after she not only messaged but received a response from Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, who promised to meet with her in the new year.

On Saturday night Al-Rawi gave out his cellphone number to attendees at the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce's (GSFCC) Christmas function. He said he was feeling "left out" after former PP minister Devant Maharaj, gave out the majority of Government ministers numbers except his.

“I ask you to note that whilst everyone else’s number was made public, except my colleagues opposite, and mine wasn’t, its 683-6442. You’re welcome to call, it’s been in the public domain for a very long time. So I had to call my good friend Devant, because he is my good friend, and I said to him, 'Devant boy, how you leave mih out so?', he say, 'Faris they wanted your number too bad so I didn’t give it to them'," Al-Rawi said.

At 10:37 pm on Sunday, after reading a Newsday article by Richardson Dhalai, Dowlah messaged the number released asking if it was really Al-Rawi.

A minute later he responded, confirming it was him.

Speaking with Newsday, Dowlah said she was sceptical even after she was told it was him but she told him of her passion for seeing a better TT. Dowlah said she opposed the People's National Movement (PNM) but was in support of Al-Rawi and some of the policies brought to Parliament by him.

"I told him I wanted to be a lawyer and study psychology as well. I remember in 2015 he came to Presentation College and spoke and from then I wanted to be a lawyer. I told him all of that," she said.

The Tableland resident said she was shocked not only about messaging with Al-Rawi but the ease at which they communicated although they had opposing views. One thing they agreed on, she said, was that they want the best for TT. Neither of them, she said, plans to "convert" the other. Dowlah, who applied to UWI to study law in September next year is expected to meet with Al-Rawi within the first two weeks of January. She was sent a screenshot of him adding her to his calender for 2019 on January 4.

Al-Rawi went a step further in Parliament yesterday during the Proceeds of Crime Bill. He said: "I promised today that I will compliment one young lady in particular who did not believe I was actually the Attorney General answering a message and had to test me to make sure I was. Bright young lady, past student of (St Joseph's) Convent San Fernando, past college prefect, urging us to step up to the plate. I promised her that I will tell her yes it is really me, I did reply to your messages and it was a pleasure to engage the conversation."

Dowlah said she told the AG about her activism during the anti-buggery law changes and expressed her desire for social justice, human rights, and the socio-economic position TT was in and how to advance it. She said she was convinced to reach out after reading the article in this newspaper where the AG's cellphone number was published. She thought "lemme message him" and so she did and has no regrets so far. Dowlah, who sees herself as someone "passionate about politics" was advised by Al-Rawi to place education as a priority if she wanted to achieve her life's goals.

"During the conversation, he told me that I was cut out for law and he told me he will show me how I can fit in (with ongoing volunteer work and other ways to advance TT). I was just thinking that I am now starting my career and he thought this highly of me. It was very uplifting. He proved himself and stuck to his word," Dowlah said.

She added that she received minimal negative feedback, but with the support of her family she said she will persevere. Dowlah is now looking forward to meeting with the AG and discussing ways to improve TT together.