THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE WITH HINDUISM An Analysis of the Pont-Praslin Interreligious Dialogue Centre, Mauritius
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Date
2005
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Tangaza University College
Abstract
The Motivation for Choosing This Topic
Mauritius has a population of about. one million two hundred and fifty thousand
inhabitants. Fifty eight percent of the inhabitants are Hindus, fourteen percent are
Muslims and twenty-eight percent are Christians. People of different ethnic group and
religions meet in the street, at work and some in places of pilgrimage (examples Grand
Bassin and the sanctuary of blessed Father Laval). Mixed marriages' are increasing. We
have awarded ourselves titles such as "La nation arc en ciel" ("The rainbow nation")
and -the multiracial, multiethnic and multicultural country."
Experiences show that we are still a juxtaposition of ethnic groups rather than a
united nation. In February 1999, because of the death of a Creole singer -Kaye, war
broke out between Hindus and Creoles. Three persons were killed. Police stations were
destroyed and houses burnt. Many people feared of a new racial war like in 1960-1968.
After this event many people lack confidence in the persons of other ethnic groups and
religions. Now we can hear people saying: -never again such a situation like February
1999." These situations show that we have to make an effort to understand and know
each other better. We have to overcome our prejudices. We are confronted with a
situation that should be altered.
N:B. Mixed marriage is used in the Mauritian context to define a marriage between two persons of different faith. The term is not restricted to marriage between two Christians of different Churches as in the Code of Canon Law.
1
However. on the 30 September 2303. Mr Pau! Beremzer, was the first Creole to
become the prime minister of Mauritius.2 From the independence of Mauritius (12th
March 1968) up to 2003. the prime minister of that island has always been a Hindu from
the Vaish caste.3 This is a sign of hope. Our is:and Mauritius that appears to visitors as
the 'star and the key of the Indian Ocean' is gradually becoming a point of encounter
where European, African and Asian civilisati )n collaborate to create a new homeland
and build our destiny in accord. This situation is part of the design of the Divine
Providence calling Mauritians to replace the climate of suspicion and fear by an
atmosphere of understanding and dialogue.
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THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE WITH HINDUISM An Analysis of the Pont-Praslin Interreligious Dialogue Centre, Mauritius