President of the Ma’unatul Islam Association Fiji, Mohammed Rafiq;
General Secretary of the Ma’unatul Islam Association Fiji, Mohammed Arfad Ali;
Members of the Media;
Brothers and Sisters;
Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabaraktuh
May Allah’s Peace, Mercy and Blessings Be upon You.
I am happy to be with you today as we become one, and join 1.6 billion brothers and sisters around the World in celebrating the birth of one of the World’s great spiritual leaders – the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
After five months of lockdown in Suva, it gives me great pleasure to be here today – to celebrate the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Brothers and Sisters,
The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings are at the very core of Islam. It guides our faith and defines the way we live our lives – a life of obedience to the word of God laid out in the sacred book of Islam – the Holy Quran.
Brothers and Sisters,
There are Five Pillars of Islam – five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam.
• Firstly, you must sincerely recite the Muslim profession of faith.
• Secondly, you must perform prayers five times a day.
• Thirdly, you must set aside Zakat for the welfare of the poor and the needy.
• You must fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
• Inshallah – make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your lifetime, if you are able to do so.
These obligations require more than usual discipline, but fulfilling them provides a framework for every Muslim’s life, your everyday activities and beliefs woven into a single expression of religious devotion.
Brothers and Sisters,
Islam requires its believers to put their faith into action and practice – and commit oneself to carrying out the Five Pillars, demonstrating that a Muslim is putting their faith first, above anything.
Here in Fiji, we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in the joyous celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary – a wonderful tradition we have developed of acknowledging each other’s religious festivals.
While Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was born into a well-known family in Mecca, he had an extremely difficult childhood. He became an orphan early in his life, he was dependent on the care of his grandfather, who also died when he was eight years old and then an uncle.
Brothers and Sisters,
The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) shares this experience with other great religious leaders who weren’t born to wealth or privilege. He knew what it was like to be poor, to struggle, and while he reputedly became affluent later in life, he taught that we all share a responsibility to care for the needy and the helpless.
We can find common ground with each other by understanding and respecting that principle, as the teachings of all our religions are interconnected. They exemplify similar values – of consideration for others; especially the less fortunate; of honesty and integrity in the way we live our lives; and of duty and service to each other; our nation and the higher being we worship.
Brothers and Sisters,
Fiji is one of a few countries in the World that acknowledges each other’s religious festivals – and we do it so proudly.
As with our other religious based public holidays that commemorate Christmas, Easter or Diwali, it’s also a time to consider the special role that faith plays in each of our lives and in the lives of our neighbours.
This reminds us of our uniqueness as a secular state, a multi-faith nation, where every religion is equal. Without reference to the religious beliefs we hold, we are one people, one nation and all have a common destiny.
Brothers and Sisters,
It is beyond a shadow of doubt that religion is a unifying force – a bridge between us all no matter what we believe, because it is a sense of spirituality, a belief in something greater than ourselves – and is common to the overwhelming majority of Fijians, despite our diverse religious backgrounds.
Brothers and Sisters,
Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last of God’s prophets and also acknowledges the importance of prophets Abraham, Noah, Moses, Solomon and Jesus Christ. If you delve into the teachings all religions, there are many commonalities about the way we should live our lives and relate to our fellow human beings.
These include respecting each other, not bearing false witness against others and being dutiful and most importantly, kind to our parents, families, friends and even animals. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) urges us to look after our neighbours and guests, be generous and give our children good education.
Brothers and Sisters,
There is one fundamental principle in Islam that has relevance to us all as we work to build a new and better Fiji, with common and equal citizenry and with justice and opportunity for all.
In Islam, everyone is equal, despite our ethnicity, language or nationality. No-one has more privileges, no-one has a higher status based on birth or wealth.
Brothers and Sisters,
It is our moral obligation, as Muslims, to extend a lending hand to those in need. Particularly in times like this, where we as Fijians need to be united. Fijians have suffered – but there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
Brothers and Sisters,
Following the Hon. Prime Ministers announcement on 10 October, it has given us all renewed hope. It has set our pathway to economic recovery and some level of normalcy.
But having said that, we are not out of the woods yet – we all have an important part to play. Being vaccinated and adhering to basic COVID Safe protocols such as wearing masks, sanitising, maintaining 2-meter distance – will go a long way.
It will give confidence to our international audience, tourists and investors to come to Fiji. More so, if you see anyone disregarding COVID Safe protocols you can advise them to refrain from doing so and can also report it.
Brothers and Sisters,
Today, I ask each of us to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) teachings of love, understanding, social justice and equality among all people. Today, we reaffirm the responsibility we have to each other as Fijians. We reflect on the values and principles that we all share and we re-dedicate ourselves to our common goal of creating a prosperous and caring nation for all.
Brothers and Sisters,
People of faith have an important role to play in society by being a voice to ensure ethics and morality exists in society, and especially for a democratic one.
Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of every Fijian, I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to the Muslim community in Fiji for contributing to our nation.
Brothers and Sisters,
On this day, when we celebrate the birth of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), let us also celebrate the wonderful values he stood for and values we share today. Together we are building a new future for ourselves and our future generation of Fijians.
Brothers and Sisters,
In closing my message today, let us remain united as a community and engage our worldly work as a direct extension of our faith.
My thanks again to all of you for sharing this special moment.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.