Thank you, Madam Speaker. I shall answer this question in my capacity as Minister responsible for Hajj.

Okay.

So, as it stands, the Islamic Cultural Centre does not issue licences or keep a register of operators for Umrah Pilgrimage. However, there have been several meetings that have been organised ever since last year, which is an inter-ministerial meeting, and it has for objective of revamping the law that governs the ICC as well as two other pieces of legislation which would concern the Waqf and the Muslim Family Council. En passant, I can mention it. But there is a whole revamp of the statute pertaining to the Islamic Cultural Centre. This is one of the issues that will be taken on board amongst other issues.

Okay. Yes, hon. Dr. Aumeer!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. May I ask the hon. Minister whether is it not high time, considering the number of organisers who organise religious pilgrimage across the country – amongst, we have Umrah – and who have been taking people abroad, who have no regulations and are not answerable to any authority. I, myself, was recently along with a group of 200 Mauritians stranded abroad. We were taken on a “ride”! They were not answerable to all the consequences of the war, the delayed travelling and flights cancellation. Is it not high time to consider the Tourism Authority? Are they taking people on a ‘touristic’ – if I can put it like that – or for pilgrimage/religious? At the end of the day, these people have to be answerable to the people that have placed confidence in them.

So, what was your question?

My question is: whether it is not high time to get the Tourism Authority involved as well to register these people?

Okay.

I have taken note of the observations made by the hon. Member, Madam Speaker. It is true that some people do not like it that you refer to such a pilgrimage as tourism but then some would say it is indeed religious tourism. Now, there is the aspect of hospitality in there since it concerns travel, it concerns hotels, it concerns a trip. However, those issues deserve our attention and it is precisely the reason why the laws are being revamped and I totally agree with him that there are many people who organise this mini-pilgrimage, the Umrah. Then they organise it in such a way where there is no need for an insurance, there is no need for any payment; there is no need for any insurance cover for any trip that goes bad. There is no need for an insurance for someone who may fall ill at a destination and then have to get medical assistance. So, all those issues are really, clairement d’actualité. In other jurisdictions, there are only organisers who are properly registered and who conform with the need to have a proper insurance for the protection of those who travel that are given the right to organise. So, all this, I can assure the hon. Member and all those listening to me inside here and outside, that all those matters will be taken into consideration in the new law that is being prepared as we speak.

I just noted that it does not only concern the Muslim pilgrimage but all sorts of pilgrimage. I understand, so maybe the Attorney-General is listening.

Madam Speaker, this question is specifically with regard to Umrah, so, obviously I am not here pronouncing myself in any way whatsoever with regards to any other voyage of religious nature apart from Umrah. So, I am limiting it to that. Okay?

Okay! But you will follow up Dr., I am sure. Okay, so now we have hon. Lobine, First Member for La Caverne & Phoenix! CAMP FOUQUEREAUX FOOTBALL GROUND – RIVER PLAINES WILHEMS – STATE – CLEANING & DESILTING EXERCISES