pn588. Religious tolerance in Fjii

Lynda Tabuya

Ashwin Raj

Concerns that Hindus would let off firecrackers on Diwali this coming weekend before Christian services had finished  led to concerns by Lynda Tabuya (an iTaukei MP) and the Methodist Church, a denial by Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, and an appeal by the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.  

The situation shows how delicate situations can be in a multi-racial, multi-religious society. Some 64.5% of Fiji's population, mainly ethnic iTaukei (Fijian), is Christian, and 27.9% Hindu and 6.3% Muslim, both almost entirely ethnic Indian (2007 Census) 

Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director Ashwin Raj says it is only appropriate that a religious community be allowed to observe, practice and celebrate their various festivities in accordance with their respective religious calendar whether they be Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists or any other faith.

He was referring to remarks by SODELPA MP Lynda Tabuya regarding the Hindu festival of Diwali which Lynda later withdrew and apologized for.

SOLDEPA MP and Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya and Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma are in the spotlight after asking Hindus to practise ‘wisdom and sensitivity’ on Sunday, ‘a day of worship for majority of Fijians’ Ms Tabuya and the church have deleted their posts after coping massive backlash from the public.  Lynda is one of the more moderate SODELPA MPs who, I would have thought, would have known better than to make such an unnecessary and hurtful remark.

On Monday 16th the public will celebrate Diwali with a public holiday.

For more background, read the International Religious Freedom Report. It's a short report and won't take long to read.

The Fiji First Government headed by  PM Voqere Bainimarama is multi-ethnic and multi-religious. SODELPA is almost entirely iTaukei.

-- ACW