Crisis at the Islamic Cultural Centre: Reconciliation between Mohamed and Juman after Tensions

Crisis at the Islamic Cultural Centre: Reconciliation between Mohamed and Juman after tensions.

On Saturday evening, the two Labour Party colleagues buried their differences after a week of tension regarding the management of the Islamic Cultural Centre.

The time for reconciliation has come. On Saturday evening, October 25, MP Ehsan Juman and Housing and Land Minister Shakeel Mohamed publicly displayed their rapprochement through messages shared on their respective Facebook pages, putting an end to a week of tension over the organization of Hajj 2025.

In his post, Ehsan Juman stated: "The honorable minister Shakeel Mohamed contacted me this afternoon. We had a long and sincere phone conversation, during which we agreed, in the name of our friendship, brotherhood, and our common commitment to the nation, to bury all the differences of the past few days."

The MP for Port-Louis Nord/Montagne-Longue noted that discussions also focused on the situation within the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC). "We agreed to establish an independent Hajj Committee, composed of religious leaders from all schools of thought, given that it is a fundamental pillar of the Islamic religion," he added.

He also announced the upcoming recruitment of seven new employees to "enhance the quality of service, particularly in terms of hospitality."

Verbal Sparring on La Voix Maurice

Shakeel Mohamed confirmed this desire for unity on his Facebook page: "I had a very fruitful meeting this afternoon with Maulana Haroon, Ariff Bakar Bahemia, Maulana M. Keenoo, Imam Reeyad Dhoorundur, Zayd Imamane, Mufti B. Hosseny, and other friends to discuss the Islamic Cultural Centre. We all want to work together and move forward as one group. Unity is the key to success."

This "reconciliation" follows a public spat during the La Voix Maurice program, hosted by Nawaz Noorbux on Saturday morning. MP Ehsan Juman and Minister Shakeel Mohamed presented their opposing views on the crisis within the ICC, which is responsible for organizing Hajj 2025.

Ehsan Juman, MP for constituency number 3, insisted on radical measures. "Regarding the Hajj, a lot has happened. Today, after the report on the organization of Hajj, it is time to bring order. What needed to be done was not done. Since this report came out, it has been business as usual," he stated.

He pointed fingers at the ICC board of directors, accused of circumventing official directives by referring to a legal advisor instead of the police, as required by the Cabinet. Without naming Shamad Ayoob Saab, the center's president, Ehsan Juman implied a need for renewal at the top to restore trust.

Shakeel Mohamed, responsible for the Hajj file, firmly responded, defending the ongoing procedure. "Everyone has the right to their opinion on Hajj. Ehsan Juman is aware of the campaign in the ‘Sunday Times’. A report is not enough to take action against someone who is an employee. They must be given the opportunity to present their side. At no point does the report state that the Board members did anything wrong. They are just giving instructions to the people working at the ICC," he said. For the minister, the investigation document, while revealing administrative shortcomings, does not assign any direct fault to the board of directors.

Verbal Altercation at Camp Yoloff

Beyond the substance, the two colleagues also addressed an incident that occurred on Sunday, October 20, at Camp Yoloff during a public event. Ehsan Juman downplayed the verbal altercation he had with the minister. "Shakeel Mohamed is a big brother and a mentor to me. I have great respect for him. I have learned a lot from him. He is one of the people who taught me how to do politics," he indicated. He acknowledged there was a "verbal clash" but no "personal dispute."

According to witnesses, the tension arose from the minister's questioning of the editorial line of the Sunday Times, a newspaper led by Ehsan Juman and accused of overly aggressive coverage of Hajj management. The MP took the opportunity during the program to defend the independence of the weekly: "The newspaper is independent and not influenced by anyone."

The establishment of an independent committee and the recruitment of new employees are now the preferred avenues to resolve the crisis within the ICC. It remains to be seen whether these measures will suffice to quell the criticism and restore trust.