FACT CHECK: What’s Behind St Kitts and Nevis’ $30M ‘Symbol of Love’ Project? 

St Kitts and Nevis: The Government of St Kitts and Nevis in collaboration with ABL Holdings Inc, has just launched a new project that is said to boost tourism and local economy by creating jobs. However, the project named ‘Symbol of Love Monument and Mosque' has drawn mixed reactions from the public.

The new project as outlined by the government is inspired from the history, while local media across St Kitts and Nevis are calling it as a mosque raising concerns about its design and cultural significance. This article clearly outlines all the facts as outlined by the government and the concerns that locals cite for this project highlighting the authenticity of this project.

What the government says?

According to government officials and sources, the Symbol of Love Monument and Museum, is a landmark project which is designed to boost tourism, create jobs and preserve the island’s heritage.

The project will feature a botanical garden with water features, restaurants, coffee shops offering comfort and enjoyment with the breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. It will have a Caribbean history museum to tell our regional story, and an international commonwealth museum to tell stories of the world. It will have stores and souvenir shops, and we will have a jetty to expand access from the sea, said the Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew.

Officials describe that the Fort Thomas site has been left underused for decades, hence this development will revive it through supporting facilities including gardens, restaurants, and shops.

According to the official statements the two museums will focus on depicting the heritage and history of St Kitts and the wider Caribbean. A global or commonwealth-themed museum highlighting international cultural links. Consistently during and after the inauguration ceremony, the government officials have clarified that the building does not hold a religious significance.

Architects and experts have stated that the mosque like structure has no religious connection and is intended purely as a symbol of unity, peace and love. Officials

What Citizens and Critics are saying?

While the government of St Kitts and Nevis has presented this project as a cultural and economic boost for the twin island federation, l a few locals and critics have voiced their concerns related to the structure’s design, and cultural relevance.

Some social media users and local commentators have described that the monument’s dome like structure represents a mosque questioning whether the design reflects the essence of St Kitts and Nevis and local heritage or is it a foreign influence.

Opposition voices featured in local media argue that the Fort Thomas site, which has been related to the island’s military and colonial history should be developed in connection with history and what better reflect Kittian identity. While the government affirms that the museums will truly embody the essence of St Kitts and Nevis.

Fact Check

Associates Times checked the fact about the Symbol of Love project and come with a conclusion that it is really not a mosque, but a monument which will feature two museums. The development spans approximately 8.5 acres of prime coastal land at the historic Fort Thomas site. Of this, 1.5 (around 18%) acres will be dedicated to the construction of the Symbol of Love Monument itself, including its grand dome and the world-class banquet hall beneath it.

The remaining 7 acres (about 82%) will accommodate a collection of complementary facilities: the Commonwealth/International Museum and the Local/Caribbean Museum, landscaped gardens, restaurants, souvenir shops, and leisure zones, all designed to create a vibrant cultural district.

The project is designed to become a global attraction and bolster tourism in the country, not only generating more tourism but positioning the island as a Caribbean tourism hub. The development will be executed in four distinct phases:

Phase 1: Construction of the Commonwealth and International Museum

Phase 2: Establishment of the Local and Caribbean Museum

Phase 3: Building of the Symbol of Love Monument itself

Phase 4: Development of complementary facilities, including restaurants, retail outlets, and leisure spaces

Each phase has been carefully planned to ensure steady progress, sustainable investment, and continuous employment opportunities for local workers throughout the project’s lifecycle.

What’s confirmed?

• The ground has been officially broken for the project at Fort Thomas.

• The development includes two museums and a monument.

• Officials and architects deny any religious intent of connection.

• The project is estimated at $30M.

Verdict

The claim that the government is building a mosque has been stated by the government as ‘False’. The project is officially described as a cultural monument and museum complex. While its design has drawn criticism, authorities say it has been designed to embody peace and love.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is purely based on information available from official government releases, public statements, and local media. The purpose of this fact check is to verify claims circulating around the ‘Symbol of Love Monument and Museum’ and to put a hold on misinformation spreading online. Associates Times confirms that no part of this report is intended to promote or influence any individual or organization.