No one has more privileges and no one has a higher status than anyone else in Fiji, said Minister for Commerce Faiyaz Koya in Lautoka on Sunday night.
He made the comments while speaking at the Ma’unatul Islam Association, Fiji Milad Un Nabi Jalsa celebrations at the Field 40 Markaz in Lautoka.
“We, as Muslims, are blessed with all the freedoms that we enjoy today,” he said.
“Fiji is one of the few countries in the world that acknowledges each others’ religion and festivals.
“We do it so proudly, we give our citizens equal rights to practice their own religion.”
Mr Koya said Fiji was a united country and had tolerance to coexist.
“There is one fundamental principle in Islam that has relevance to all of us as we work to build a new and better Fiji.
“And that is of common and equal citizenry and with justice and opportunity for all.
“We do not discriminate – everyone is equal despite your ethnicity, despite your language, despite your nationality.
“No one has more privileges, no one has a higher status.”
