The newly rebuilt Islamic Education and Vocational Training Centre in Sabeto, Nadi, has been officially opened as the Fiji Muslim League celebrates its centenary year and will provide Islamic education, vocational training and development opportunities for children and young people for generations to come.
National President Bashir Ahmed says the institution will help nurture children with strong faith, good character and practical skills for their future, enabling them to become responsible Muslims and productive citizens of Fiji.
Ahmed says the institution was established in 1978 through the vision, sacrifice and determination of pioneers of the Sabeto Muslim community and has provided Islamic education to generations of children for almost five decades.
He says hundreds of children have learned to recite the Holy Quran, studied the fundamentals of Islam and developed good manners and strong moral character.
Ahmed says the institution was destroyed by fire in 2019, but the tragedy did not break the community’s determination and instead strengthened its faith and united its members to rebuild.
He says the newly opened centre now stands as a symbol of faith, hope, unity and generosity and will provide a space where families can gather, knowledge can be shared and community bonds strengthened.
The National President also acknowledged the donors, volunteers, community leaders, builders, planners, committee members and families who contributed to rebuilding the facility.
He says the opening comes as the Fiji Muslim League marks 100 years of service to Islam, education and the Muslim community in Fiji.
He says the League, established in 1926, now oversees 17 primary schools, five colleges, kindergartens, early childhood centres, mosques, madrasas, the Islamic Institute of the South Pacific, Fatima Girls’ Hostel and the Makoi Vocational Training Centre.
He adds that the newly rebuilt centre is another milestone in the League’s century-long journey, with plans to continue developing the site into a modern Islamic learning centre that will serve future generations.
