KINGSTON, Jamaica — The extradition hearing for controversial Jamaican-born Muslim cleric Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal, which was set for today, was postponed until January 4, 2018.

The hearing was rescheduled as a result of the “sick-out” by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

al-Faisal, who is being kept at Horizon Adult Remand Centre, was not taken to court.

However, prosecutor Jeremy Taylor called two witnesses from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a detective sergeant.

The Muslim cleric is accused of being involved in the recruitment of terrorist fighters for ISIS.

The 53-year-old, who was born Trevor William Forrest, was arrested in August on an extradition warrant from the United States of America on charges of conspiracy as a crime of terrorism, two counts of soliciting or providing for an act of terrorism, and two counts of attempted soliciting or providing for an act of terrorism.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of National Security then, al-Faisal was indicted on charges of recruiting would-be terrorists and was arrested after a months-long operation carried out by an undercover New York Police Department officer who communicated with him by e-mail, text and video chat.

Additionally, the release said that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance indicated that al-Faisal offered to help the undercover officer travel to the Middle East and join fighters with the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, and had dedicated his life to terror recruitment.

Racquel Porter