Friday at noon. It's less than 48 hours from the big vote -- yes or no, to become a French overseas department -- and residents of the capital Mamoudzou are headed to the mosque to pray. Roughly 95% of Mayotte is Sunni Muslim.
For those who WANT Mayotte to become an integral part of France, a department, not even religion can discourage them.
SOT Tarfi
I'm proud of being Mah-o-rais, Muslim, French. God has taught us that each person makes their own decision.
Some Imams have appealed for a NO vote. But for many residents, the benefits of departmentalization seem to outweigh the disappearance of traditions and mores. And the calls of religious leaders may not be heeded.
For the Imam of Mamoudzou, the end of the practice of polygamy is not something he wants to see.
SOT Imam Abdourame Omar
No, I say no. The law of the Koran permits a man to have two or three wives.
[JOURNALIST: But French law prohibits this. What will you do about that?]
It's catastrophic. I'm polygamous. I've already let go of two or three wives in the past, so, it's feasible to do so.
As the referendum fast approaches, some appeal to the undecided... like this "YES" voter pleading his case.
SOT Ahmed
My vote is already decided! Im voting YES! ....
I say it out loud without any secrecy.
my ballot is already in the envelope. I'm just waiting for the election day to put it in the box.
... And meanwhile his brother, a Koranic teacher, preaches the "NO" vote....
There is no ill will between these brothers, or between opposing camps...
The vote will not shake them. Department or not, they say they will always be
united as Mah-o-rais...