The first Ministerial meeting of the National Task Force for the celebrations of the religious festivals of Shab-E-Barat and Ramadan 2023 was chaired, today, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Sir Harilal Vaghjee Memorial Hall, in Port Louis. Discussions focused on arrangements being made for the two festivals and consequently ensure that Shab-E-Barat and Ramadan are held in the best of circumstances.
Senior Ministers, Members of the National Assembly and representatives from local authorities, Ministries/Departments and Muslim Socio-Cultural Associations as well as from the Central Electricity Board, Central Water Authority, Road Development Authority, and the Mauritius Police Force, were also present to share their proposals in that regard.
In a statement, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the meeting went very well during which all organisational aspects required for Shab-E-Barat and Ramadan were reviewed and responsibilities allocated to different Ministries and Departments. On that score, he lauded the work already set in motion by the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, who had chaired a Regional Task Force meeting in September and whereby a majority of issues and concerns have already been addressed.
The Prime Minister reassured that follow-up actions will be ensured and acknowledged all efforts being made by different departments. The aim of the National Task Force is not only to prepare for Shab E-Barat and Ramadan and for other religious celebrations, but also has as objective to continuously enhance infrastructures and bring about improvements so that the festivals are observed in the best possible conditions, he added.
Shab E-Barat will be celebrated on 08 March 2023. It is a holiday observed on the 14th night of Sha’aban, the eighth month in the Islamic calendar. Muslim devotees will offer special prayers, recite from the Holy Quran and perform other religious rituals throughout the night of Shab E-Barat, to receive divine blessings for the wellbeing of mankind.
Ramadan, the Holy Month of fasting, is expected to start on 22 March 2023 depending on the visibility of the moon. Muslims will gather in their homes or mosques with their friends and extended family after the sunset prayer to break their fast. After Ramadan comes Eid al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast-Breaking), which signals the end of fasting.
