Port Louis: The Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Yousuf Abdul Razack Mohamed, visited the cemeteries of Bois-Marchand, Riche-Terre, Bain des Dames, and Pailles to review preparations for the observance of Shab-E-Barat, scheduled for Thursday, 13 February 2025, and the upcoming Ramadhaan, expected to begin at the end of February or start of March 2025.
According to Government of Mauritius, Minister Mohamed was accompanied by the Minister of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives, Mr. Sayed Muhammad Aadil Ameer Meea; the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Ranjiv Woochit; the Member of Parliament, Mr. Mohamed Eshan Juman; and other key figures. Representatives from several government agencies, including the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service, Mauritius Police Force, Central Electricity Board, Central Water Authority, and Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, were present to assess infrastructure and logistics.
The visit was aimed at ensuring that essential facilities at th
e cemeteries remained accessible and that the sites were clean and secure, with necessary coordination arranged for the well-organized and dignified observation of the religious festivals. Minister Mohamed emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating these events under optimal conditions across Mauritius, acknowledging the contributions of all stakeholders involved in the preparations.
Minister Mohamed highlighted the cleanliness and upkeep of the Bain-des-Dames cemetery, hoping to maintain this standard. He noted that the Pailles cemetery was well maintained and that the commitments of the National Task Force had been fulfilled. Additionally, he examined land donated by the late Sir Abdool Razack Mohamed for cemetery use and shared plans by the Sir Abdul Razack Mohamed Charitable Trust to develop the area, including constructing an orphanage.
Minister Mohamed also addressed the issue of inadequate lighting, stressing the need for proper streetlights and facilities. He encouraged cleaning efforts
to enhance security and urged the public to respect open spaces by avoiding illegal dumping, encouraging reporting of such activities to maintain cleanliness and safety in similar locations.