As a concerned responsible Muslim organisation, the Muslim Citizen Council (MCC) is circulating this open letter to all Muslim candidates participating in the upcoming elections. Since its inception in 2001, the MCC has actively encouraged Muslims to fully participate in the nation’s democratic process. Crafted by the Mauritius largest representative body of mosques and Islamic associations, the MCC does not endorse specific parties or candidates.
In the context of the forth coming General Elections, the MCC has drafted a Memorandum on some vital demands in favour of the Muslim Community and other societal issues that need to be addressed urgently. The said Memorandum had been launched at a Press Conference on the 17th Oct. 2024, at Le St. Georges Hotel.
In the past, it was one leader who led the Muslims on the right path, protected their interests and guided them in their day-to-day life. He acted as a philanthropic, a friend, a philosopher and a guide. People were then led normally to be a single brotherhood. Nowadays, one leadership concept does not work. Therefore, plurality of leaders is what is expected to be developed in our democratic system.
Fortunately, according to our existing rules, the Muslim Community has at least eleven/twelve members to form part of the National Assembly. Hence, the whole Muslim Community have an special eye on the members of the National Assembly (NA). MCC has observed that in the past, all of the Muslim Members at the NA, who are occupying Muslim Seats, either by being elected or nominated by the Best Loser System, were at the mercy of their respective political Leaders and fear to raise their voices for the benefit of the Muslim Community – with the exception of few timid questions in respect of the issues faced by the Muslims. None of them dares to stand to defend Islamic causes or make proposal in favour of the Muslim Community.
The MCC trusts that all the Muslim Members of the new government, irrespective of which party they belong to, would jointly or separately make advocacy of the proposals in our Memorandum, which will have lasting effects on the Muslim community in particular and the nation at large.
These proposals mentioned are the product of extensive consultation, surveys, and focus groups within the MCC affiliates network. These proposals aim to ensure political leaders to respond to the needs of Muslims Community, a community seeking fairness, equality of opportunity and the freedom to practice their faith.
Therefore, the MCC urges you, the Muslim Candidates in this General Elections, to consider advancing these proposals for implementation to the new government:
| Halal Food Authority | To set up a ‘Halal Food Authority,’ that will have powers to sue and remove Operating Licenses of the defaulters. |
| Halal Tourism | To set up a window for Halal tourism that will cater to the specific needs and preferences of Muslim travellers. |
| Islamic Cultural Museum | To set up an Islamic Cultural Museum that will promote the various aspects of the Islamic culture and the contributions of Muslims in Mauritius. |
| Muslim Family Council | To revamp the MFC, to become more effective and to deliver expected quick results. |
| Arabic Language | Arabic Language to get same treatment as other Oriental Languages. |
| Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) | ICC to be relieved of organizing Hajj and to concentrate on its other objectives – the preservation and promotion of Islamic arts and culture, etc.. |
| Sexuality Education | Islamic Scholars to participate in the developing of Curriculum and syllabus on Sexuality Education. |
| Regulate Import of Livestock for Eid-ul-Adha | Government should solely for Eid-ul-Adha, consider importing and distributing cattle on the hoof, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Mauritius Meat Authority, and/or State Trading Corporation, with a view to eradicate the cartel in this field. |
| Waqf Board | The whole concept of Waqf be reviewed/revamped and its composition be done according to Islamic criteria. |
| Islamic Banking | To open a window of Islamic Banking in every bank, where the government has a considerable number of shares and to incite other commercial banks to follow suit. |
| Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) | Mauritius should seek an Observer Status at the OIC. |
| Muslim Personal Law | To re-introduce appropriate MPL legislation for its official recognition and implementation. |
The other issues included in the Memorandum encompass a broad spectrum of policies, from fostering inclusion and combating hatred to empowering youth, safeguarding religious rights, drug trafficking, climate change, addressing the cost of living crisis, the crisis of loss of values, and upholding international law-particularly in light of the ongoing slaughter in Gaza and the decades-long oppression of Palestinians, etc…
The Secretariat
- To obtain a copy of the complete Memorandum in PDF format, kindly call on the 5911 9940.
