President’s surprise birthday during Eid-al-Fitr celebration at Malaysian High Commissioner's residence

It was a surprising moment for the President of Fiji Ratu Williame Katonivere as the Malaysian High Commissioner to Fiji Nor'Azam Mohd Idrus and his staff surprised him with a cake and a birthday song during the Eid-al-Fitr celebration at his residence today. The staff of the Malaysian High Commission sang “Menjelang Hari Raya,” which means ‘on the eve of Eid al-Fitr’ a traditional Malaysian Eid al-Fitr song in iTaukei.

The President was later accompanied by the High Commissioner and other guests for the cake cutting ceremony. The High Commissioner says the President’s presence today enriches their celebration of Eid-al-Fitr.

He says this signals the support for the values held dear during this festive period that also transcends borders and cultures such as unity, harmony, and warmth. The High Commissioner says it warms his heart that they are able to gather in fine company to celebrate the culmination of Ramadhan.

He says as people strive to make the community and the world a better place, they have made it among their priorities to express gratitude, build the communities, as well as extend care and compassion to those in need of it within their capacity. Nor'Azam says Eid-al-Fitr is about drawing closer together, and Malaysia wishes to forge closer ties with Fiji and like-minded countries as well.

Attending the event was the former president Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian, Indonesian Ambassador to Fiji Dupito Simamora, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Fiji Jose Manuel Galego Montano, High Commissioner to Nauru to Fiji Michael Aroi, the German Ambassador to Fiji Andreas Prothmann and the Ambassador of Japan to Fiji Rokuichiro Michii.