“In Fiji, Diwali has become a part of our national life, not only for Hindus, but for all Fijians as we look forward each year to the Festival of Lights.”
Those were the words of Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama while giving his speech at the Girmit Cultural Center in Lautoka last night during Diwali celebrations.
Bainimarama said for him, Diwali is about Fiji coming together as one nation to rejoice and give thanks for the grace of God and the bonds of family and friendship.
The Prime Minister told people from different backgrounds that it is indeed a matter of great personal and national pride how openly we embrace each other’s different religions and how readily we include those of different faiths in our observance.
Bainimarama said Fiji is one of the very few countries in the world to commemorate the most significant events in Christianity, Islam and Hinduism with public holidays.
He said we do this so proudly as Fiji is unique in the Pacific region, a multi-faith nation with a Constitution that guarantees religious freedom and establishes a secular state, in which all religions are treated equally.
He added that we also do it as a personal gesture of respect for the fellow citizens of other faiths, knowing that regardless of belief, we are one people, one nation, with a common destiny.
Bainimarama also said that if we scratch beneath the labels of major religions, we will be pleased to find that their teachings are inter-connected as they embody essentially the same values.
He said the Fijian government has established once and for all that every citizen deserves the same rights and opportunities as anyone else.
The Prime Minister reiterated that everyone is a Fijian no matter where we come from or whatever our faith.
Source: Department of Information
