‘Relations between the Muslim community and the State are excellent’ |10 November 2021
The National Muslim Council delegation in a souvenir photograph with President Ramkalawan (Photo: Jude Morel)
The National Muslim Council of Seychelles has said that the relations between the Muslim community and the State are excellent.
It was the vice-chairperson of the council, Ibrahim Afif, who made the statement following a courtesy call by the council on President Wavel Ramkalawan yesterday morning at State House.
The aim of the visit was to introduce to the President the newly set up National Muslim Council, its aspirations, concerns and how the Muslim community sees its place in the national context.
Only four members of the nine-member council were present for the courtesy visit. Besides Mr Afif the other members include the council’s chairperson, Imam Idris Yusuf Nibourette, who is the president of the Quran and Sunnah Society of Seychelles (Beaufond Lane); Imtiaz Umarji, President of the Islamic Society of Seychelles (Victoria Mosque) and Sheikh Abu-Anas Servina, in charge of the Islamic Foundation of Seychelles (Au Cap and Praslin).
Speaking on behalf of the council, Mr Afif said that they had a cordial discussion with President Ramkalawan, who made clear of his intention, to their appreciation, to have a distinction between the work of the state and religion.
He added that the President has pledged his full support and encouragement to the council and has also urged them to work in unity with the state.
Mr Afif noted that the meeting with the President is long overdue and the council is happy to have met and discussed with President Ramkalawan who is also an Anglican priest.
He added that the council was very happy the way the President had welcomed them at State House.
The National Muslim Council of Seychelles was created in 2020 following discussions between the three different Muslim religious groups to bring the main Islamic organisations in the country together under one umbrella to represent Seychellois Muslims nationally and internationally and to coordinate major Muslim events and activities
“We’ve realised that we need to be united on behalf of all the Muslims in Seychelles and it is that umbrella organisation that we presented to the President and he is very happy that we are working as a united front and the relation between us and the state are excellent,” Mr Afif said.
Other issues discussed include the Muslim cemetery at Mont Fleuri which is quickly running out of space. The Council has already purchased land from the private sector for a new cemetery in close proximity to the existing Glacis cemetery.
The Council also discussed with the President issues relating to Halal food which is becoming important.
Mr Afif said that Halal certification is important for Sky Chef. It also for instance requires to source Halal food for the airlines, particularly those operating from the Middle East. If they can’t source it locally the airlines will fly in Halal food from outside and this will be a huge loss in revenue for Sky Chef. So the Council informed the President of some domestic achievements in this regard namely the establishment of KOT HALAL – a private shop selling only Halal meat and other products and the opening of an outlet in Victoria, HALAL & TASTY selling takeaway food by a Muslim entrepreneur who already has a thriving outlet at Pointe Larue.
Issues relating to education were also discussed. President Ramkalawan was informed of long-term plans of the Council to establish a crèche for young Muslim children and later an Islamic primary school that will teach all the traditional subjects but will also include Islamic religious lessons in its curriculum.
The delegation also assured President Ramkalawan that no Muslim organisations in Seychelles offer or have ever offered any incentives for reverts or converts to Islam.
Patrick Joubert