Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has highlighted that there are people today who are using religious ideals to advocate division and take the nation back to the dark ages.
While speaking at the Fiji National University Students Association Multicultural event at the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Koronivia, Bainimarama says the aim for these people is to divide our people and pit Fijians against Fijians.
Bainimarama says it is up to the younger generation to call out such religious intolerance.
He says there is nothing natural about distrust, disharmony and suspicion and people are inclined to co-operate for the sake of the common good.
Bainimarama adds we may practice different faiths, but we share a desire to see life improve for ourselves and for our children, and we know we are most successful when we walk the path to greatness together.
The Prime Minister says all faiths teach the values of love and compassion and people may worship in different ways, but every religion in Fiji preaches the need to love thy neighbour and the value of love, compassion and empathy.
He further says hate always starts small and it spreads in the darkness and when people ignore it, or when we pretend that it does not exist, it can spiral out of control to consume us all.
Bainimarama urged not hesitate to shine a light on what is wrong and people must work together to remove it.
The Prime Minister reminded the students the Government and society will reward them based on what they do and what they achieve, and it will not be based on who you they are, where they are from, or how a person worships.
The event was attended by Minister for Education Rosy Akbar, President of the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nur Bano Ali, FNU Vice Chancellor Professor Toby Wilkinson, FNU Board members and students.
