It is always said that when there are problems in society, one should always turn to the elders for solutions and guidance. This practice is however not very common here, where politicians, young and old, usually have the monopoly on advice, solutions and guidance. Not usually for the better. This is why yesterday?s press conference held by the Organisation pour l?Unité (OPU) was like a breath of fresh air.

?Keep out of religion?, says the OPU to politicians. The OPU is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1999 just before the riots. In 2001, this NGO won the Prime minister?s National Unity award for their contribution to peace and unity in the country. Led by Dr Mansoor, the OPU has decided to come forward to appeal for calm and reason in the aftermath of the Supreme Court Judgment on the use of loudspeakers in mosques.

Dr Ibrahim Mansoor, Camille Moutou and Dr Krish Virahsawmy, respectively president, secretary and founder of the NGO met with the press yesterday and explained that their legitimacy came from the fact that their organization was made up of members from different walks of life and different communities. They have come forward, they say, to express their worry after having heard the various reactions to the Supreme Court judgment. Those reactions, they say, ?are threatening national unity? and have convinced them of the need to speak out.

?The law has spoken, says Mansoor. It is now time for the two parties to meet up, sit and discuss.?

Dr Ibrahim Mansoor, a well-known social worker, deplored ? the intervention of politicians, especially MPs? in the whole episode. He reckons politicians? interference is wrong ?and may make things worse especially as social cohesion is still fragile?. The OPU is hence asking politicians to stay out of religious debates and ?leave those things to religious leaders.? The imperative of not giving in to emotion is all the more important says Dr Mansoor since the country ?is going through a difficult time economically and this more than ever requires unity and solidarity among the people.?

The law has spoken, says Mansoor. It is now time for the two parties to meet up, sit down and discuss. ?Clearly when the matter was taken to court, each party thought they had the truth. It is only by talking that one can find a modus vivendi. India has found a solution to this problem: the decibel level has been reduced. This is called a compromise?, he says, adding that his organization is prepared to act as mediator if need be. The Organization?s secretary, Camille Moutou appealed for more understanding and social cohesion. ?We must, he says, remember what this man said- when he doesn?t hear the church bells or the muezzin, he is unhappy because he feels he is not in Mauritius. This is what makes Mauritius what it is?,

The OPU fears that the relative calm of these past days is due to the appeal against the ruling ?and that if ever the appeal fails, there might be more of an outcry.?

But the NGO is harsh against those who add fuel to the fire. Camille Mootou says he is happy to see that Bishop Piat has refrained from commenting on the judgment ?as opposed to some socio-cultural groups? who shouldn?t have had any say in the matter. ?We must stop them from adding insult to injury; their game should be stopped?, he added.

The founder of the organization, Dr Virahsawmy said, ?we should do our utmost to ensure that Mauritius remains the paradise that it has always been.?