The Syrian Lebanese Community in Trinidad and Tobago has long been known as shrewd businessmen and hardworking entrepreneurs. They are closely-knit and struggle to maintain their past, holding on to Syria in their cuisine, their language and their family lives.

They establish their own entertainment clubs, like the Syrian Lebanese Women's Organization in order to interact with people of their own background even though they insist that Trinidad and Tobago is their home and their first priority.

Businessman Peter George, who is of Syrian parentage says his parents came to Trinidad in 1929, from Christian Valley which is an enclave where most of the Syrian Christians lived. They were part of the last wave of immigrants from Syria, the large immigration stopped around 1933-1934. Immigration from Syria, he said, began in the late 18^th Century since at that time Syria was occupied by the Turks.

"There was a lot of distress in that part of the world. There was famine, and the Turks were basically Moslems. In that part of the country where my parents are and where the exodus started, they were Christians, and a slight persecution may have been taking place at the time, so most of the Christians migrated all over the world, but mainly to the Western part of the world - the United States, South America and the Caribbean."

Although Moslems and the Christians coexist peacefully, George said, at that time preference was given to the Moslems and the Christians were more or less considered "second-class citizens".

When they came to Trinidad most of them came virtually with nothing. Their investments, he said, were themselves, their hard work and their commitment to Trinidad. "This is why credit should be given to our community," he said. "When they came here they had nothing and they peddled with bundles on their backs, suitcase traders, all working very hard, seven days a week and virtually built themselves into a very strong economic force in our country."

When the exodus initially started to pour in, the Syrian Lebanese people kept to themselves. This, George explained, was because of their insecurity. "They did not know anyone, but as time went along, today our people are very integrated into all facets of the community. There are lots of inter-racial marriages, whereas 30 or 40 years ago they always wanted to marry into their own kind. It is part of the integration system where all communities live as one.

"We have no inhibitions as to whether you are black, white, or any other race, we are all Trinidadians, everyone is equal," he added.

"Our first priority is Trinidad, I was born in Trinidad, if my parents were alive they would say my mother land is Syria and my second home is Trinidad but our commitment is to Trinidad."

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