Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged the longstanding contribution of Fiji’s Muslim community to the country’s development, saying Muslims have been an integral part of the nation’s journey across generations.
In his national address marking the Birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Mr Rabuka paid tribute to the contribution of Muslim Fijians in education, agriculture, business, the professions, public service and charitable work.
“The Muslim community has long been an integral part of Fiji’s national journey,” Mr Rabuka said.
“Across generations, Muslim Fijians have contributed immensely to our nation’s development — in education, agriculture, commerce, the professions, public service, charitable work and community development.”
He said Muslim organisations and individuals continued to provide services extending beyond their own religious community.
“Many Muslim organisations and individuals continue to serve not only members of their own faith, but Fijians from every community,” he said.
“Their commitment to faith, family, and service continues to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the wellbeing and progress of our country.”
Mr Rabuka said this commitment reflected an important message from the occasion — that faith could be demonstrated through service to others.
“That spirit of service reflects one of the most important lessons we can take from this occasion: that our faith is expressed most meaningfully through the good that we do for others,” he said.
The Prime Minister also called for greater respect between Fiji’s different religious and cultural communities.
He said the country was strengthened by its diversity and should remain a place where no person felt less Fijian because of religion, ethnicity, language or cultural background.
“A Fiji where our children grow up understanding that diversity does not weaken a nation — division does,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said the responsibility of all Fijians was to ensure the bonds uniting the country remained stronger than its differences.
“We are a country of diverse communities, but we share one Fiji and one future,” he said.
Mr Rabuka wished Muslims in Fiji and around the world peace, joy and blessings on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi.
