The right of every Fijian to follow his or her own religious belief is protected and is enshrined in the constitution.
Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama today clearly laid out what is in the constitution relating to freedom of religion as he opened the 23rd telecentre at Kalabu Secondary School.
Dismissing the suggestions made by some politicians that God is no longer at the centre of national life, Commodore Bainimarama stressed that it is clearly stated in the constitution that every Fijian has the right to worship privately and publicly.
He also said every school has the right to conduct religious instruction.
This includes religious based schools and government schools.
However the Prime Minister said the constitution requires us not to force our own particular beliefs on others, not force others to worship and not to force others to pray to the supreme being in the manner some believe in.
Commodore Bainimarama said people have the choice to choose for themselves.
He said this is a question of common decency and fairness.
The Prime Minister went on to say that we must all have the right in life to follow our own beliefs without interference from people of other religions, denominations, the wider community or the state.
Commodore Bainimarama said this is why the constitution provides for a secular state.
He said it simply means that the state, which is the government of the day, the lawmakers and the judges cannot favour any one religion or denomination.
Commodore Bainimarama said the state must be neutral just as they are in democracies like the US, France, Australia and New Zealand.
He said the government is protecting everyone’s rights and rejecting the bigotry of religious extremists whoever they may be.
The Prime Minister then recited a neutral prayer that can be recited by every Fijian, irrespective of their individual beliefs.
As earlier reported by Fijivillage, freedom of religion is guaranteed under the constitution.
It is also clearly stated that the state cannot give preference to one religion over another.
Fijivillage has also received confirmation that the Suva Grammar School management had only sent letters to the parents of all Grammar students asking if they want their children to allow or disallow them from attending the prayers.
The parents were given the option to choose this and the school management made it clear that no one will be forced to attend the prayers.
This issue about the letter of consent was also openly discussed in a Parents and Teachers meeting last Friday.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Aliki Bia
