It was a confident, happy and disconcertingly moderate Celh Meeah who answered our questions after his election to the Legislative Assembly. He does not shy away from expressing his views on a wide range of issues from politics to polygamy. Read on…

¦ Mr. Meeah, some journalists called your victory the ‘Celh Meeah surprise’. Was it such a big surprise to you?

Not at all. As a social worker who has been committed to helping those who are at the bottom of the ladder for the last twenty years both in my constituency and throughout the island, I do not see my election as a surprise but rather as the outcome of patience, hard work and perseverance.

¦ Did you really, honestly, expect to win?

Well, look at the progression of events. The press hushed it up but it was a reality. In 1991, when I stood for election for the first time, I won 4611 votes. For the by election in 1992, 4200.In 1995, 4400. In the 1995 Municipal Elections, I managed to shake the whole foundation of the MMM by being elected.In 2000, I got 4780 votes. In 2001, I was elected in the municipal elections from inside prison! Every move so far has been historic. At the next general election, it will be 3-0 in my favour. I promise you that.

¦ You mentioned your election while you were in jail. What memories have you kept of your incarceration?

Injustice and police brutality. It is an issue I will take up at a later date.

¦ Coming back to your electoral manifesto, is it based on Muslim guidelines?

There is nothing Islamic about the programme. I am going to introduce in government. Nothing even spiritual. It is a national programme offering ways to deal with the eradication of poverty, drug trafficking, injustice, immorality etc. We would like to introduce Islamic banking to help small and medium enterprises (SME). We will provide the guidance and follow-up necessary.

¦ But surely, Hisbullah’s programme is based on religion, isn’t it?

The Front de Solidarité Mauricienne (FSM) has nothing to do with Hizbullah. We would like to introduce a new concept of governance in Mauritius.

¦ So which community does your electorate come from?

From ALL communities. We have been voted in by all communities. We have an office in Roche-Bois which has been handling people’s grievances and helping them out of their misery. These people have shown their gratitude.

¦ Are you saying that the positions you take in the Legislative Assembly will not be coloured by your religious views?

Secularism as practiced in Mauritius in no way interferes with Islam or its five pillars. My aim is to represent all Mauritians irrespective of their religion, creed or colour.

¦ But if there were a debate tomorrow about polygamy or wearing the veil, would you express Islamic views or secular views?

I may express Islamic views, depending on the subject.

¦ Allowing polygamy?

No. Polygamy is discouraged by Islam and allowed only under very specific conditions, which no longer prevail. If there were a war in Mauritius tomorrow and half the men died, it would be legitimate for those who survived to marry more than one wife under the almost impossible conditions prescribed by Islam, that is treating wives in exactly the same way, with the same fairness. Something which human beings cannot do.

¦ So, until there is a war in Mauritius, will your position be against polygamy?

Yes. Religion has to take into consideration the realities of the county.

¦ You were not in the country when the Azaan episode wreaked so much havoc. What would your position have been then ?

I would have discouraged protests and encouraged acting within the legal parameters. I always favour reconciliation over conflict. Islam has always been practiced within the realities of the countries it is practiced in. We have to live within the polico-legal parameters of the country and take into account the fact that we are a minority.

¦ Does that also apply to the wearing of the veil?

In Islam, covering the face is not an obligation. Chapter 33, verse 59 of the Koran clearly talks about wearing ‘a long outfit’ to cover the body. There is no mention of covering the face. It is a question of choice not one of religion.

¦ Are you going to remain totally independent or you will join one of the two blocs?

I am determined to remain free and independent and try to live up to the trust placed in me. I will make sure the whole of Mauritius benefits from my position in parliament. If I joined one of the two blocs, I would have my hands and legs tied. I will never do that. I would like to develop a new vision in parliament and introduce debates which reflect the challenges we face in the third millennium. Everybody knows I am a symbol. I will be contributing to the opening of a new democratic space. I will also help the country through negotiating preferential terms for petrol and petrol products with Arab countries.

¦ You mean you think you have enough weight to negotiate directly with Arab countries?

You will be surprised to hear that of the 49 countries represented at the Islamic Conference taking place as we speak, only four have not yet sent me their congratulations. The other countries all have.

¦ The image we remember of your T.V. campaign is your apologizing to the electorate. What did you feel you had to apologize for?

Two principles which Prophet Mohamed recommends: humility and simplicity. Apologizing is my way of showing both. I needed the electorate’s blessing to be able to take up the responsibilities awaiting me.

¦ Was it not a tactical move to win sympathy?

I needed no sympathy. I had no doubt I was heading straight for victory. And God proved me right.

¦ In a hypothetical situation where you absolutely had to join one of the two blocs, which one would you choose?

(Laughs) I would not take my constituents to the Opposition. But I don’t have to make that choice.

¦ What are your impressions of Parti Malin?

In difficult times, when there are serious challenges, one must be serious.

Interview by Touria PRAYAG