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The Jummah Mosque was built in 1852. The architecture and green and white coloring is typical of mosques in India, a tradition that has continued in Mauritius despite an influx of influences from the Arab world. |
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The Jummah Mosque is frequented by the large Muslim population that is concentrated in the capital city. However, Muslims from all over the country come to the Mosque on special visits, especially during Ramadan, as it is seen as the central mosque on the island. |
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The Al-Medina Masjid is still under construction and testimony to the continued expansion and creation of mosques on the island. This mosque is close to many centers of business and is always crowded during Friday prayer times. The loud speakers allow the call to prayer to be heard throughout that area of the city. |
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The minaret of the Markajee Islam Central Mosque in the center of the city also amplifies the call to prayer. Although many Mauritian Muslims are not extremely observant, many do observe prayer times, something which is accommodated in most office buildings if employees do not go the mosque. |
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The minaret has a towering presence over the city and provides a helpful landmark for orienting newcomers. There are 18 mosques in the city of Port Louis. |
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As in all Mauritian towns and villages, religious communities live, work and worship side by side. The smallness of the island provides close encounter for the minaret and the crucifix outside the St. Louis Cathedral. |
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The Church of Immaculate Conception was originally a small wooden house where French missionary Father Jacques Lebrun first introduced Catholicism to African slaves in 1841. The church is now typical of many Gothic style churches around the island and serves a center for the Creole Mauritians, the decedents of slaves, who have a vibrant Catholic community. |
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The St. Louis Cathedral is another Gothic style Catholic church and was built in its current form in 1933. On this site was the first church in Mauritius, built in 1752, that served the French colonial authorities. |
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The figure known in Mauritius as Pere or Father Laval was born Jacques Desire Laval in France, where he entered the Catholic priesthood. |
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The Holy Cross Church is a vibrant center of Creole Catholicism. The Church began as a small chapel in 1848 and expanded over the years. However, in 1960 the Church was destroyed by a cyclone. The current Church (previous picture) and the surrounding complex of buildings and grounds (this picture) was rebuilt and completed in 1968. The Church offers extensive Sunday school education and other community programming. |
