New constitution guarantees religious freedom-PM

Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama stressed that the new constitution guarantees religious freedom for every Fijian to choose for themselves.

While reacting to comments made by Social Democratic and Liberal Party Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa that religious prayers will be stopped in all government schools, Commodore Bainimarama said the Secular State ensures that the Government of the day does not force one denomination or one faith on anyone and at the same time promotes religious freedom for all.

Commodore Bainimarama says Ro Teimumu Kepa's comments about bringing God back into our national life are frankly offensive.

He has raised the question on whether Ro Teimumu is saying that God has not been in Fiji.

The Prime Minister said this is an insult to all believing men and women of Fiji.

Commodore Bainimarama said no Fijian is being prevented from worshipping privately or publicly.

SODELPA said it will ensure that religion will be allowed to be practiced openly in any institution without any limitations if it wins the elections.

She also questioned why the Fiji Military Forces and the Police are not subject to any religious restrictions.

Ro Teimumu said both these institutions are allowed to pray together.

Meanwhile the Minister for Education Filipe Bole has rejected claims made by Ro Teimumu Kepa that a senior official in the Ministry of Education had given written advice to Suva Grammar School to stop religious prayers.

Ro Teimumu Kepa claimed in the SODELPA Special General Assembly that the official from the Ethics and Disciplinary Unit said that Christian prayers at Suva Grammar are unconstitutional.

She then said that this would also mean no prayers or religious instructions at other government schools like Ratu Kadavulevu School, Queen Victoria School, Adi Cakobau School and Natabua High School.

When questioned, the Education Minister, Filipe Bole said no such directive has been issued.

Fijivillage has 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 are 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 Rusiate Baleilevuka