The Inconspicuous Church in Mauritania

This is the oldest church in Mauritania, in Nouadhibou. This was build by the French in about 1913, when the region was a French Colony. Since Nouadhibou was on border of French and Spanish colonies, this small church was build to cater to those foreign christens. Now this church is taken care by a Catholic Charitable Mission which help christen migrants who are in Nouadhibou, who come here in a hope to make it to Europe. In this Catholic Charitable Mission , I found three Indian Nuns. Two from kerela and one from Orrisa. They say that they cannot declare themselves as Christens, Nor can they say that they have a church. Mauritania is a 100% Muslim Country and it is illegal to follow or propagate any other religion. Mauritania is one of the 12 countries were Atheism is punishable by death. So this church does not look like any conventional church. Infect to me it looked like a Buddhist Stupa. The cross is made to look like three wooden poles, so as to not attract undue attention. Also this church is always closed. It is only opened for few hours on Sunday. The nuns here do some charitable work, trying to help those christens who have come from other African counties and got stuck up here in there hopes to reach the Cannery Islands.
Now Nouadhibou, a port that lies on its northern border with Western Sahara. It is the main departure point for migrants from across West Africa who board small fishing boats, or pirogues, in an attempt to travel the 800km to the Canary Islands. The use of pirogues from Nouadhibou become more intense in 2005. Previously, migrants had travelled through Morocco and Moroccan-controlled territory before attempting to cross the Straits of Gibraltar. With tighter border and internal controls in Morocco and Western Sahara, this became more difficult, and the Nouadhibou route emerged. Most who make the journey come from Senegal, Mali and Gambia. Between 40 and 50 people travel on boats built to carry four or five fisherman. Many die at sea from dehydration, exposure or because their boats sink in the treacherous seas. Some arrive in the Canaries and are processed by the Spanish, with most then returned to Mauritania. Others are intercepted by Mauritanian or Spanish patrols and are returned immediately. Some Migrants are eventually taken to either the Senegalese or Malian border. Many immediately return to try again. Despite this, migrants from across west Africa arrive daily, hoping to reach the Canaries. Citizens from most West African countries are permitted to travel freely in Mauritania, so they continue to stay in Nouadhibou. Those who realize how dangerous the journey is often find themselves in limbo, stranded in Nouadhibou. Many people who wait for their chance to make it to Europe or are have not succeeded, stay in Nouadhibou and take up jobs, mostly in its fishing industry. Despite heavy fishing by European trawlers, the waters off Nouadhibou remain some of the richest waters in Africa and has a flourishing fishing industry.