First of all I thank Allah (swt) who has given me the
opportunity to continue the subject of the sermon which I addressed you last
Friday. Like you all know, there remain only a few days for the General
Elections in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega – Wednesday 10 December 2014.
For all people of Mauritius, this General Election to
be held on 10 December 2014 is a prospect to make Mauritius a second republic
and whereby the ex-leader of the opposition shall become the Prime Minister of
the island for 5 years, Insha-Allah, after having struggle really hard for the
goodwill of all Mauritians. He is verily a man who deserves that position, with
the intelligence, competence, and capacity as state leader. He is a honest man
with great visions for the country. He spent 47 years in politics, struggling
for all Mauritians, and he even escaped death (when there was an attempt to
kill him when he was a young man) and ever since his young days, he plunged
into politics and struggled for the rights of workers so that they may get
their dignity and he protected them from being crushed by their employers. He
gave a lot of himself for the people of Mauritius, but the Mauritians did not
(or refuse to) recognise his value, competence and capacity. Very often the
politicians and people from different religions who do not have any real
competence, along with the socio-cultural groups have crushed this able man,
honest, whereby nobody can say that he is power-thirst or that he stole
something, or even was involved in fraud and corruption. He did not also
protect male and female allies. That honest man is Paul Raymond Berenger, the
historical leader. It is the fanatics who have all the time tried to create all
sorts of communal problems to bar him from becoming Prime Minister. This shows to you that the sincere, honest and devoted
people have all the time great enemies and adversaries who try to create all
sorts of problems and spread communal talks for them. Such is the case also for
Paul Raymond Berenger who had to face all these people who do not want him to
become the Prime Minister of Mauritius.
Behind the Labour Party's Tactical Alliance
I can tell you that the Labour Party with its 10 years
in power has led Mauritius to ruin and all kinds of corruptions, thefts, rapes,
crimes, gambling, high cost of living where poor people suffer all the more
whereas those protected by the Labour Party are those who enjoy plentifully and
get state lands. If a common man raises his voice against such situations, then
it is him/you who shall be crushed and persecuted. So it was high time a clean sweeping is given to the
politics of the Labour party which act for a handful of people only, and this
is precisely the aim of the leader Paul Raymond Berenger; to put everything in
its rightful place, to do a good clean-up in the managerial system of our
country and to remove all those who are incompetent, or to reform them
correctly.
Therefore, it is a fact that had the actual Prime
Minister Navin Ramgoolam not taken refuge in an alliance with the leader of the
Mauritian Militant Movement Paul Raymond Berenger for the coming elections,
then he would have gone in the dustbin (of history). The Prime Minister has
pondered a lot upon this and used his strategy to make this alliance with the
Mauritian Militant Movement and its leader Paul Raymond Berenger and gave him the
post of Prime Minister for 5 years. As for him, he shall become President and
enable the electoral reform and make Mauritius become a second republic where
the president gets much more power than the (future) Prime Minister Paul
Raymond Berenger. With this consensus between both parties, the agreement was
signed.
After confirming their alliance, according to them,
the PTR-MMM alliance will be a much more inclusive government. The leaders of
the PTR/MMM said: “We have set up a committee who are preparing a rich
program. This requires in-depth work. We have a complete program that reflects
the unity and modernity that places the values of young people at the centre of
development. As the days go by people understand our message of unity and
modernity during the meetings we hold; it also involves having discussions and
exchanges. People ask pertinent questions and we answer. Access to information
is a right, not a privilege.”
Now, what you see, there are many hypocrites who are
supposedly against the second republic but are in fact they are not happy that
Paul Berenger becomes Prime Minister. Lessons of the past do not seem
to have been drawn ... therefore the slightest spark could cause irreparable
damage. Have you seen how the socio-cultural groups are doing
field political works? They are not mastering religion; their worry is that
Paul Berenger becomes Prime Minister and therefore, their plans shall be
foiled. The Voice of Hindu are appealing their Hindu community to vote only
candidates like themselves. The leader of the PTR, for crass electoral
reasons, continues to caress the hair of the socio-religious groups who should,
simply, be excluded from political debate.
This reminds me of a dream which I
saw in September 2014, after the agreement to form a Labour Party/Mauritian
Militant Movement alliance. The date of election had not at that time been
fixed. I dreamt that Navin Ramgoolam was saying to Paul Berenger: “My Labour
Party has won many more candidates than yours, Paul. Therefore, I have the majority
(and superior to) than you.” The face of Paul Berenger changed and a mark of
regret showed on his face, whereby he regretted having done the alliance with
the Labour Party, and he did not become Prime Minister. And in the dream, I was
saying: “This is the campaign that the Labour Party is doing: “Vote us, We are
from the majority”; that is, vote only Hindu candidates, be them in the Labour
Party of the Militant Socialist Movement etc. This is a dream. Let
us wait after the elections to see what shall happen.
Majoritarian Communalism in Mauritius
Therefore, the members of the community of the
majority do not fear the prospective second republic and that Navin Ramgoolam
becomes president and thus detains more power than the future Prime Minister
Paul Raymond Berenger. Their target is verily the Honourable Paul Raymond
Berenger. If this Labour Party/ Mauritian Militant Movement triumphs in the
forthcoming elections, this shall be to the detriment of the wishes of the
members of the community of the majority. Verily, this white man, Paul Raymond
Berenger deserves to become Prime Minister for five years.
But unfortunately the
Hindus, the Voice of Hindu, and Sanatan Dharma Temples’ Federation (with its
president Somduth Dulthumun) are issuing orders (concerning the people to
vote). They are not doing the works of religion, but they are foremost in
issuing orders whom to vote for the elections, especially the Hindus in the
Labour Party and the candidates of the Militant Socialist Movement. They are
doing door-to-door visits in this endeavour. It is most unfortunate to see such
communalism and if precaution is not taken – we must pray Allah a lot so that
this does not happen – then there can be a racial brawl, riots. Here in
Mauritius, a lot of Mauritians listen to my sermons in Creole, and I am sure
that there are some who shall be against me (on that subject), but as a
Messenger of Allah, I do not fear to tell the truth about what is happening. 
The Voice of Hindu and the Sanatan Dharma are openly
telling the Hindus to vote Hindu candidates only. They are making a communal
campaign at field work. Shall this not provoke a communal tension? Mauritius as
a whole is seeing that these people are playing with fire. The fact that our
social fabric is very weak, therefore we must avoid such kinds of campaigns.
What is unfortunate, these people get occult protection from the state. In
other words, they get the absolute freedom from the authorities to do whatever
they want to do. But who is responsible for the security of our country? There
is no doubt that this responsibility falls upon the actual Prime Minister. Why
does he let those people from the community of the majority to do whatever they
want? A question: if tomorrow the Muslims raise their voice and say that
Mauritius does not belong to Hindus only, but to all communities who live here,
and if moreover the Christians also revolt, then what shall happen to this
country? If a Prime Minister tolerates these kinds of socio-cultural groups in
their quest to do what they want to do, shall the minority then feel themselves
secure?
Are the actual Prime Minister and his Labour Party
government not using a strategy, using Paul Raymond Berenger and the Mauritian
Militant Movement as crutch to win the elections? And after having succeeded in
their plan (and the Mauritian Militant Movement becomes in minority), drop all
agreements to an alliance and continue with their communal works, abandoning
the alliance and drive the Mauritian Militant Movement to the opposition? Therefore, does this kind of government deserve to
come to power? We must pray a lot for if there is that kind of sickness in
their hearts, then for the goodwill of the Mauritian population, may Allah
(swt) destroy these kinds of people, Insha-Allah.
Huge expenditure, limited usage
If we analyze the situation, the parliamentary session
has cost five times more than usual, therefore more expensive. The august
assembly of the Republic of Mauritius office is held for six months during a
year with an average of 35 sessions. This year it was held only for 2 months (8
sessions). So a session in 2014 will cost taxpayers Rs. 25 million against Rs.
5 million during normal times. They have been paid from public funds to twiddle
their thumbs for four months. Usually, the parliament seats for six months –
from March to July and October to December. This year it sat only two months,
April and July. Given that the state spent some Rs. 175 million a year with the
parliamentary system, a session costs about Rs 5 millions in normal times. But
in 2014, this cost has ballooned to Rs 25 million, given a budget of over Rs.
200 million and 8 sessions during the year. Some 60% of this amount is
swallowed up by the salaries of the Speaker, and parliamentarians except
cabinet members and 50 officials assigned to the Assembly.
The People’s Alliance welcomes the campaign to win the
election with its leader Sir Anerood Jugnauth. According to the statement of
The People’s Alliance, the challenge is to provide a first real boost to the
electoral campaign. They claim to be clear in their goal to rally all social
strata of the country. And they say that everything is going well (concerning
their affinity) with the population and that they are currently receiving much
encouragement from the people. They also said: “We have identified the
main areas of their programs and compared to the PTR/MMM Alliance which is
primarily there to satisfy some, we place the Mauritian, male and female as
well as the youths at the centre of our program.”
Now the people of Mauritius are asking many questions
about the projects of the second republic. This will change the democratic
nature of the country. Article 47 of the Constitution is clear. Prior to
amending Article 1 of the Constitution, a referendum is required in which 75%
of voters are pronounced to be in favour of a change. Then, a bill must be
presented and get complete unanimity in the National Assembly. Section 1
discusses the sovereignty of Mauritius and involves the fundamental rights of
Mauritians.
Our democracy is based on the Westminster System, as
in England and India. This system gives absolute power to the Prime Minister
and the National Assembly. When we adopt a semi-presidential system that has
granted certain powers to an elected President, this brings a change in our
democratic state. Currently we elect members of Parliament to govern us.
If tomorrow a president wants to dissolve Parliament after six months, what
will happen? Does that not imply a profound change in the nature of our
democracy?
It is the nature of the political system that should
be changed, not the democratic nature. It’s not the same thing. We are in a
Westminster System, modelled on the British system; which means a parliamentary
democracy! The proposal is to move towards a semi-presidential system. We are
not inventing the wheel. This system exists in a lot of countries and there are
different formulas. Then you need the right formula to make this project
succeed smoothly and without any dispute.
After listening to what the law of man says, let us
listen to what the law of Allah says.
Islamic law stands for the integration of society and
reforms it by way of persuasion rather than coercion; so it remains content
with prescribing such punishments only as are most needed to check heinous crimes
and create thereby an ordered society. It is for this reason that exemplary
punishments are prescribed for crimes like murder, physical injury,
fornication, adultery, theft, highway robbery, false accusation against
chastity and drinking of wine etc., while usury, gambling and the like are left
to be dealt with in the Hereafter because of their bearing upon transaction
rather than upon the establishment of peace and order. Reform by persuasion and
exhortation being the principal aim of Islam, it allows time for penitence and
to make amendments in one’s life.
Islamic law has a twofold object, spiritual benefit
and social good. Its policy is, therefore, to encourage obedience by offer of
reward, and to discourage disobedience by imposition of penalties. Penalties
may be imposed in this world or in the world hereafter or in both, but reward (thawab) is
given only in the life after death (which is eternal and everlasting). The assessment of all human actions and transaction
according to its own precepts of good and evil is the chief characteristic of
Islamic law which guarantees its unity and the uniformity of society.
Social and political interests of the Muslims of Mauritius
Now, let’s make some mathematical calculations. There
are 137,616 Muslims who shall vote in the coming general elections. If now we
divide the Hindu community in sub-sects (different creeds), then there are the
Vaish, Ravived, Tamil, Rajput, Maraz, Telegu and Marathi etc. Now the general
population is in majority with 260,406 voters, followed by the Vaish community
with 199,688 voters and then comes the Muslims. Mathematically speaking, if the
general population (Creole) and the Muslims come together, then the Hindus
become minority. But nevertheless, look who are enjoying the major part of the
cake of this country!
Therefore, the Muslim Community with 137,616 voters in
this country does not have its own party. It must wait for others to decide for
the Muslim Community and impose their own candidates upon us. It is them who
choose for the 137,616 Muslim voters. It is a shame for this community. For how
long will the Muslim Community continue to bear the humiliation and
dictatorship of others upon it? It is because of this that we can never claim
for our rights. We do not have our own voice. The voice which is not ours shall
never become ours. Since when in Parliament our voice was heard?
The Muslims
today have been granted only a couple of free time every Friday for Jummah, and
only one Holiday a year, that is, the Eid-ul-Fitr. There is no holiday for
Eid-ul-Adha, and look at what they did with the MPL (Muslim Personal Law)!
Therefore, ponder over this, for how long shall we let others usurp our voice
for the benefit of the voices of others? Has the time not come that we, Muslims
forget our divergences, our differences and we unite like true brothers and
sisters of the Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), and we stand up on
our feet and revive the laws of Allah, the divine laws like I explained last
week and also that which I have just mentioned to you?
If the Muslims listen to my advice, then Insha-Allah,
Muslims in Mauritius and around the world shall take their destiny into their
hands sooner or later. May the men of good faith in the Ummah put heads
together to prevent the Muslim Community from undergoing humiliation upon humiliation.
My Friday Sermon is becoming too long. I can say that
the only Jamaat – recognised by all and which cannot be manipulated by either
the Prime Minister and his government is verily the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam.
We do not sell our community (Ummah) and we do not take any subsidy with the
government. And moreover, either at Jamaat level, and individual level we
refuse to take any bank interest. We do not need any subsidy despite that we
are few here in Mauritius. Nevertheless our members sacrifice money – their
sweat – from their salaries, not only here in Mauritius but also the other
countries of the world, where my disciples, members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al
Islam are found. Despite their poor financial condition, yet they make
sacrifice with love and pleasure in the path of Allah, and by the grace of
Allah, Allah put much blessings in their money. We are (by the grace of Allah)
a Jamaat which is not after grandeur, subsidy (with creatures) or we are among
those who fall at the feet of politicians and who take them as idols.
Therefore, we (the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam) do not seek false gods. It is only
the unique God whom we seek and also His almighty help.
Therefore, honour and provisions (food, drink, etc.)
are found in the hand of Allah. Therefore, Oh brothers and sisters, let us not
waste time. Let us unite for unity is strength by the grace of Allah, and Allah
(swt) shall definitely held us in the good causes and so that His divine laws
triumph in the four corners of the world, Insha-Allah; not man’s
law.
By the grace of Allah, we have faith in the laws of
Allah, our treasure. Then, let us be one so that all creatures of Allah can
live according to the divine laws. Insha-Allah.
-Friday Sermon of December 05, 2014 ~(12 Safar 1436 Hijri) delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius.