Brothers and Sisters,

Members of the Media,

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabaraktuh

May Allah’s Peace, Mercy and Blessings Be upon You.

I am happy to be with you today as we celebrate the birth of one of the World’s great spiritual leaders – the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

It gives me great pleasure to be here today – to remember the life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and see many of you from our previous celebration held in Ba and Lautoka.

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,

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. Every Muslim must 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,

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.

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,

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,

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