The first Ministerial meeting of the Task Force for the celebrations of Shab-E-Baraat and Ramadan 2022, was chaired this afternoon, by the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity, Mr.  Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the Sir Harilal Vaghjee Memorial Hall in Port-Louis.

Various Ministers, Parliamentary Private Secretaries, representatives of the Central Electricity Board and the Central Water Authority, the Ag. Commissioner of Police, Mr. A. K. Dip, as well as representatives of various Muslim sociocultural associations, attended the meeting.

In a statement, the Prime Minister underlined the objective of the meeting, which is to take stock of the preparations being made at the level of different Ministries so as to ensure that the religious festivals take place in the best conditions. He rejoiced that today’s meeting was interactive and fruitful.

Prime Minister Jugnauth indicated that the Ministers present and the representatives of other Government bodies were able to report on the preparations undertaken at their end. On the other hand, the representatives of the Muslim sociocultural associations were able to discuss the constraints they face and bring forth suggestions and requests, he said.

Prime Minister Jugnauth assured that the Government is meanwhile making the required preparations for the smooth running of the celebration of the two events next year, and pointed out that along with the Ministerial task force, Regional Task Force meetings are being presided by the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government, and Disaster Risk Management, Dr. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo.

Furthermore, Mr.  Pravind Kumar Jugnauth dwelt on the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he stressed necessitates the implementation of various restrictions and precautionary measures. He remarked that the situation regarding COVID-19 is unpredictable and added that Government will take the necessary decisions as regards COVID-19 related restrictions in due course as per the evolution of the sanitary situation.