Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has reiterated the words of former President of India, Abdul Kalam - that great men and women use religion as a means of making friends and small men and women use religion as a fighting tool.
He made this comment while speaking at Navratri celebrations at Kabutri Drive in Koronivia, Nausori last night.
Sayed-Khaiyum told devotees the nine nights of Navtratri celebrations is a time when we should internally view how we run our lives and how men are treating their wives, daughters and mothers.
He says the nine nights of Navtrati celebration symbolizes our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters.
He says the celebrations gives them importance that they are very much part of our lives and we must value them.
Sayed-Khaiyum adds the prayers for the nine nights is also about bringing out the devil from within.
He also told the devotees that we have look at the inner meanings of this celebration and how we apply them to our lives and not just focus on following the rituals.
He also told the devotees that Fiji is a secular state and it simply means that everybody has the right to practice their own faith and government cannot push any particular religion.
Sayed-Khaiyum says it is their duty and obligation to ensure that everyone has the right to practice their own faith and do so in peace and harmony.
Hindus in Fiji are celebrating nine days of Navratri from last weekend which is a festival specifically dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga.
