Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the values taught by Prophet Mohammed if any decent person would uphold and put these basic lesson into practice then we will not only be better as individuals but Fijian society will be even more peaceful and just and Fiji, the country we love will be stronger.
He highlighted this while speaking during Prophet Mohammed's Day celebration organised by the Ma'Unatul Islam Association in Nadi.
He says as the Muslims of the world believe, Prophet Mohammed was a model for how to improve a world through our interactions with others, even in the simplest of ways.
He says even a smile he said is a charity, he showed us we should be gentle in our speech and manner, that we should care for the vulnerable and extend compassion to all in our lives; from our parents, spouses and children to the sick, the orphan and those struck by misfortune and our neighbours who we must ensure are able to eat before we eat for he believed we are all sisters and brothers in humanity and should care for each other as such.
He further says he preached that we should reason and find solutions instead of acting in anger and antagonizing others and also taught followers to stand up to injustice and racism in all of its ugly forms.
He also says the virtues that Prophet Mohammed extolled of respect, peace, unity, justice, charity and compassion are universal guiding virtues for people of all cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds who have sought peace and progress over thousands of years just as they guide Fijians today.
He says we live by these virtues and values secure in the knowledge that the Fijian identity is not the realm of a single religion, province, background or ethnicity.
Bainimarama says our national character transcends these boundaries and this was never more clearly on display than during the dark days of the COVID pandemic.
He says we overcame that experience through unity and we have come out more resilient than ever before and have proven that Fiji's strength can be measured as a nation by the care and compassion we show our fellow Fijians.
He says if we keep sight of these commonalities and we seek to deepen the bonds that exists between us, we will continue to advance our nation and our people towards a brighter future.
He is also urging Fijians to come to Fiji Day celebrations at Churchill Park tomorrow where they will do more than mark 52 years of history.
He says they will celebrate the inclusive and united Fiji we have forged today - a change they undertook and achieved in our recent history and he will do everything to see it preserved through all the years ahead.
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