Various religious and ethnic based organisations of Girmit descendants thankful for Reconciliation Service

Various religious and ethnic based organisations of Girmit descendants have written to the Methodist Church of Fiji President Reverend Ili Vunisuwai and thanked him and the church for the Reconciliation Service on 14th May this year.

In a letter they say they are thankful to the church for apologising to the descendants of the Girmitiyas for the pain, hardship, abuse and suffering inflicted on them due to the coups of 1987, 2000 and 2006.

They further say the apology was an act of love, courage, kindness, compassion and magnanimity.

The letter adds that they are touched and humbled by their divine gesture and thank the Church for the beautiful prayers offered on Reconciliation Day.

The religious and ethnic based organisations say they accept the apology and assure that they will work very closely with the iTaukei brothers and sisters to foster good relationships and contribute in every way possible for the betterment of our people and our beloved nation.

They say they are particularly concerned about the worrying statistics that 75 percent of the people living in poverty in Fiji are the iTaukei.

They add they want to initiate immediate measures to address this sad situation.

The organisations that wrote to Reverend Vunisuwai include the Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, TISI Sangam, Sai Prema Organisation, Fiji Muslim League, Andhra Sangam Fiji, Hare Krishna Society Fiji, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, Gujrat Society of Fiji, Fiji Sikh Society, Fiji Sevashram Sangha, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Fiji and Gandharva Sangeetalaya.