The hardship of the pandemic has brought out the very finest attributes of the Fijian character – PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the hardship of the pandemic which we have borne alongside the rest of the world has brought out the very finest attributes of the Fijian character.

While giving his message for Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Bainimarama says we have endured it, we are overcoming it.

The Prime Minister also shared a lesson of resilience that Prophet Muhammad once gave his followers and says it is a message that rings as true today as it did those many centuries ago.

Bainimarama says now, we have earned the privilege of looking hopefully to our future.

He adds because they have so decisively rolled out COVID-19 vaccines, we can look to that future together, seated together in our houses of worship, working together in our businesses, and enjoying together the freedom to gather, play sports, and share meals with our neighbor's.

Bainimarama further says if we hold fast to the spirit of togetherness that carried us here, we can build a stronger Fiji for all Fijians, a society that is caring, just, and equitable; and an economy that moves all people forward without costing us our environment, reefs and ocean.

He also says we would be unwise not to expect adversity, but we also know from experience that our strength and endurance will see us through.