Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Honourable Rosy Akbar;
Acting Chief Justice, Kamal Kumar;
President Western Homes Limited, Bobby Khan;
Members of the Media;
Brothers and Sisters;
Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
I am genuinely pleased that all of you have been able to join us for the official opening of Masjid Hanifa. Your presence itself is a representation of the ethnic inclusiveness that embodies our beloved nation, Fiji.
Your interest and support gives strength to this unity. As we honour this architectural accomplishment, we give thanks to our friends who’ve have made today possible.
These distinguished people include, Bobby Khan, Azreena Khan, Irish Khan and Samir Allam, who have so generously built this sacred place of worship. What you’ve done here is more than building a house of worship, you have built a home, a place of solace.
Let me also acknowledge, with deepest gratitude, the many others who’ve contributed to this project. The management and staff of Western Homes and Ali Designs, your dedication and generosity have been at the very heart of the long planning and building process from June last year.
Brothers and Sisters,
We gather today at a special place – and at a special time. We welcome Masjid Hanifa, a few days ahead of Ramadan, a time for fasting, deep reflection and contemplation.
Inshallah, we must come out of this month of Ramadan, with renewed strength and energy to grow in every aspect of our lives; spiritually, with improved personal relationships, better health and stronger professional lives.
We must welcome the opportunity to humble ourselves, learn from others during this time, to celebrate our religious identity, but also open our minds to the possibilities of living and co-existing harmoniously, irrespective of color, religion or status.
Brothers and Sisters,
As with other religions, Islam’s values are inherently based on peace, harmony, tolerance, humility, patience, respect and solidarity. The Quran, advocates equality between all and says, that only good deeds may raise the status of one human over another. So I am pleased to mention that Masjid Hanifa mirrors equality by having a salat room for our sisters to also partake in activities.
We, as Fijians, are fortunate to have equal rights to practice any religion. This shows how united we are, and how tolerant we are to live harmoniously.
As you are well aware, during the last fasting season, mosques and other places of worship were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With over a year of no community transmission of the virus, we are truly blessed to have the freedom to gather as we have today. Through Allah’s blessing and protection, we are able to go about our daily business, go to work, visit our friends and families. This in itself is good fortune.
While your Government has progressively taken tremendous, and cautious steps to recovery, you play a very big role too in this journey. With the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines, it is critically important that every one of us register for them. By registering, you are putting Fiji in a stronger position to return to normalcy and recovery.
Brothers and Sisters,
There is a growing voice of Islamic scholars that have concluded that one can get vaccinated in the month of Ramadan because vaccines do not nourish the body. Thus, I also encourage you all to get vaccinated as soon as it is available.
Brothers and Sisters,
During this challenging time, we look for strength and inspiration from our spiritual and cultural roots. And that is why we are here today to celebrate the opening of Masjid Hanifa.
Brothers and Sisters,
In closing my message this afternoon, let us reason that religion is a powerful force and promise, which inspires us to engage our worldly work as a direct extension of our faith. My thanks again to all of you for sharing in this special moment.
It is my hope that everyone who will now be coming to Masjid Hanifa, will appreciate the art of ‘giving’ with every visit.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.