A series of 10 round-table meetings, set up on the initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury was held in response to the unsettled world situation from June to August 2004. The report was sent to Canterbury to be put in common with other group reports from around the world. This is in no way claims to represent an official position of either religion.

<B>1. GLOBALLY CONSISTENT JUSTICE AND EQUITY. </B>The saving of human lives is considered a priority for Muslims, with the killing of even one person being an affront to the whole of humanity. Christians share this sense of the sacredness of life and think of justice in terms of love towards others, based on their needs. Both groups felt the need for:

– equity in the distribution of wealth as a priority, together with equal opportunities for proper education, good administration of justice, equal opportunities for work and appointment to key positions (meritocracy) as well as equal access to resources and credit facilities for the poor.

Mauritius is called a “mini United-Nations”. Mauritians have learnt to live together by accepting the “system”, i.e. a policy of being accommodating towards each other.

<B>2. DEMOCRACY. </B>Muslims consider the opinion that “Islam and democracy are incompatible” erroneous and that it should be dispelled. However, the final decision must be in accord with Koranic Law and “tradition”, which must always prevail.

Christians consider that, in the ideal democracy, people can give their views on important matters. Both groups agree that there should be consultation and the seeking of consensus in running the affairs of community and country. Democracy gives the best guarantee against totalitarianism.

For Muslims and Christians, the principles of Islam and Christianity override the law of the land even if the majority conform to it.

<B>3. FREEDOM AND SELF-GOVERNMENT. </B>The “home situation” was identified as one of the root causes of global and inter-country abuses. A country where the politically, economically and militarily powerful abuse the poor and weak is more likely to oppress other countries.

In the ideal, both Christians and Muslims would react in the same way within a country and communities. Generosity should start at home.

People’s freedom to look after their own affairs in their country was identified as one of the root sources of reputable global and inter-country relationships. A country that is fully democratic internally is more likely to respect other countries. Good local government is one in which people have an effective voice in managing their affairs. The strengthening of freedom and internal democracy was strongly recommended.

<B>4. CIVIL SOCIETY. </B>As a result of our discussions, it was recommended that:

Children should be given Citizenship Education (education about rights, responsibilities and duties) in all schools and be encouraged to talk about civil society and say what they think on all issues. Citizens have the right guaranteed by the Constitution to speak out and participate. They must stand up and exercise their rights. Government funding of NGOs or institutions should not be synonymous with control.

<B>5. HUMAN RIGHTS. </B>The “Common Cultural Characteristics” of all Mauritians make our views similar on many if not most human rights issues. Mauritian Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and others are born and bred into a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. They integrate into the community from birth and share a common educational and social heritage.

Such a multi-religious civilisation could well become a model for the future, i.e. whether one is Muslim or Christian or Hindu or Buddhist, one equally cherishes freedom of thought, opinion and expression and none would fight against these rights. If anything, most Mauritians would fight to ensure the maintenance of these freedoms.

<B>6. CULTURAL SPECIFICITY.</B> Religion and Culture should not be confused as people of diverse cultures may share a common religion. Both Islam and Christianity unite peoples of varied geographical, historical and cultural origins. Therefore, within the same religion, there are a wide variety of accepted modes of dress, behaviour, eating habits and social morals.

Muslims take the prophet Mohammed as their role model. Freedom of action is permissible in so far as the major tenets (i.e. the 5 pillars of the faith) are respected fully.

Christianity guides the faithful to act out of love, giving care and service to others with generosity. “Love thy neighbour” is a significant driving force. The basic tenets of Christianity are spelt out in the Sermon on the Mount and Christ is the role model. Freedom of choice and responsible behaviour are important elements as followers are expected to act with discernment. Christians adhere to the spirit of the Word of God, not necessarily to the Bible word for word.

Both religions require believers to keep clean and pure in body and in spirit. In this respect, Christians and Muslims have numerous common denominators. And all participants agreed that education in the basics of each religion should be given high priority as well as knowledge of the religion of others.

<B>7. RESPECT FOR LAW AND THE RULE OF LAW.</B> At the onset, participants felt that the topic was quite complex for lay persons to handle, but decided that the questions set did not call for an exercise in comparative law. The general consensus amongst all was that neither Christianity (for the cases of non-respect of the law cited for the West) nor Islam (for the cases of non-respect of the law cited in the Muslim-majority states, including those specifically titled as “Islamic Republics”) are responsible for abuses committed in their respective names. In addition, it was remarked that the mere label of “Islamic Republic” does not make a country faithful to the tenets of Islam. The label a country gives itself, whether “Muslim” or “Christian” may not mean much, in practice. However, differences between Muslims and Christians do appear upon closer analysis of the tenets of each religion.

<B>8. MATERIALISM. </B>Social workers of different religions should form centralising and coordinating councils. This would reinforce their capacity and effectiveness in the field. Greater importance should be given to prayer and spiritual meditation through silence. Spiritual values are a key to human life and must be omnipresent. A medical practitioner pointed out that medical practice, in some quarters, is fast moving to become medico-socio-spiritual action. Both religions emphasized the dominance of the spiritual over the material and prescriptive. They guard their faithful against giving charity to the poor as a mere gesture, without true generosity.

This report reflects the large degree of commonality between Christianity and Islam as well as an understanding of the marked differences. The overriding conclusion (for which Mauritius is a living example) is that it is entirely possible for Koran-abiding Muslims and Bible-inspired Christians to live together peacefully in the same country, interact with each other, with Hindus, Buddhists and other believers, as well as with those who live outside organised religion. As a nation, we can pursue common development goals, with little or no conflict, without communal violence or terrorism. Better still, all citizens can move and act freely, carry on with their “business of the day”, while each one’s personal faith or philosophy remains in his/her private domain.

On behalf of the members of the Round-Table:

Melinda Mounsmie-Ooosman; ValerieBouic; Ivan Collendavelloo;Patrick Guimbeau; MichaelAtchia; JonathanRavat; AmenahJahangeer-Chojoo; Farida Oodally;Cassam Uteem; Mohamad Vayid; A.Majeed Korumtollee; Nawaz Gobindram; and the host Bishop Ian Ernest.

Press Edition by Michael Atchia (from notes of meeting kept by Valerie Bouic, Ameenah Jahangeer-Chojoo and self).