DIWALI has inspired a group of women in Saweni, Lautoka, to set aside their religious differences and help neighbours of the Hindu faith prepare for the festival.

The Fiji Times caught up with Shavana Ali and Nafiza Gulzar Ali yesterday at Vineeta Singh’s residence making Diwali sweets.

“I love celebrating Diwali,” said Shavana.

“We always do this every year. We help neighbours with making sweets, and on Diwali I gocome to my friend’s house to celebrate it with them.

“We don’t look at religion or anything like that.

“When someone is celebrating something, we celebrate it as friends and as a family.”

More in today’s edition of The Fiji Times.